Quatrain 120 from Rubaiyat of Rumi

By hamed @hamed | 44 1

آن تلخ سخنها که چنان دل شکن است
انصاف بده چه لایق آن دهن است


شیرین لب او تلخ نگفتی هرگز
این بی‌نمکی ز شور بختی منست


Description:

English Translation of the Quatrain

Those bitter words that are so heart-breaking,
In fairness, what are they worthy of that mouth?

Their sweet-lipped one has never spoken bitterly,
This blandness is from the sourness of my own fortune.

Analysis of the Quatrains

The Bitter Words: The poet is lamenting the harsh words spoken by their beloved, finding them incongruous with the beloved's sweetness and beauty.
The Beloved's Innocence: The poet suggests that the beloved is inherently kind and would never speak harshly, implying that the bitterness must be a result of their own misfortune or misunderstanding.
The Poet's Self-Blame: The final line suggests that the poet is taking responsibility for the situation, blaming their own bad luck for the beloved's harsh words.


hamed
@hamed Dec. 11, 2024, 5:17 p.m.

Deeper Meanings

This quatrain, like much of Rumi's poetry, can be interpreted on multiple levels:

The Pain of Love: The quatrain expresses the pain of love, particularly when it is accompanied by harsh words or misunderstandings.
Self-Reflection: The poet is engaging in self-reflection, considering their own role in the situation.
The Power of Perception: The poet's perception of the beloved's words is influenced by their own emotional state.