Quatrain 46 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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می لعل مذاب است و صراحی کان استجسم است پیاله و شرابش جان است
آن جام بلورین که ز می خندان استاشکی است که خون دل در او پنهان است
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
This rubai is a deep dive into Khayyam's philosophical musings on life, death, and the nature of existence. While it might seem like a simple ode to wine, it carries layers of symbolism and metaphor that invite contemplation.
English Translation
A more literal translation
The wine is a melted ruby and the decanter is a mine,
The cup is the body and the wine is the soul,
That crystal cup, laughing with wine,
Is a tear that hides the blood of the heart.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Like molten ruby, wine does flow,
A soul-filled vessel, where true passions grow.
A crystal cup, with laughter's gleam,
Conceals a heart's deep sorrow, a mournful dream.
A contemporary and informal translation
The wine is like liquid ruby, so fine,
The cup, a body, the wine, divine.
That crystal glass, filled with cheer,
Hides a heart full of sorrow and fear.
"می لعل مذاب است و صراحی کان است": This line compares wine to a melted ruby and the decanter to a mine, suggesting the richness and value of the wine.
"جسم است پیاله و شرابش جان است": Here, the cup symbolizes the physical body and the wine represents the soul or spirit.
"آن جام بلورین که ز می خندان است": The crystal cup, filled with laughing wine, is a beautiful image of pleasure and joy.
"اشکی است که خون دل در او پنهان است": This line reveals a deeper meaning, suggesting that the joy and pleasure derived from wine are actually masking a deeper pain or sorrow.
Themes and Interpretations
The duality of existence: The rubai hints at the dual nature of human existence, suggesting that joy and sorrow often coexist.
The transience of life: The image of wine, which is consumed and disappears, can be seen as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life.
The search for meaning: The poet seems to be searching for deeper meaning in life, even as he indulges in earthly pleasures.
This rubai is a profound exploration of the human condition. While on the surface it celebrates the pleasures of wine, it also suggests that there is a deeper, more complex reality beneath the surface of our experiences. The image of the crystal cup, filled with laughter and hiding sorrow, is a powerful symbol of the human condition.