Quatrain 120 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
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.

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.