Quatrain 88 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
ای روی ترا غلام گلنار مخسبوی رونق نوبهار و گلزار مخسب
ای نرگس پرخمار خونخوار مخسبامشب شب عشرت است زنهار مخسب
Description:
English Translation of the Quatrain
O face, the slave of the pomegranate blossom, sleep not,
O brilliance of springtime and the rose garden, sleep not,
O blood-thirsty, drowsy narcissus, sleep not,
Tonight is the night of revelry, beware of sleep.
Analysis of the Quatrains
Direct Address to Beauty: The poet directly addresses a beloved, personifying their beauty using nature imagery.
The Call to Stay Awake: The repeated command "sleep not" emphasizes the urgency and importance of the moment.
The Night of Revelry: The night is described as a time for celebration and enjoyment.
Nature Imagery: The use of flowers like the pomegranate, rose, and narcissus adds to the overall theme of beauty and love.
Deeper Meanings
This quatrain, like much of Rumi's poetry, can be interpreted on multiple levels:
Love and Passion: The poem expresses intense love and passion for the beloved.
The Beauty of the Moment: The poet emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty and the importance of seizing the moment.
Spiritual Awakening: The "night of revelry" could be seen as a metaphor for spiritual awakening or enlightenment.