Quatrain 52 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Quatrain 52 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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یک جرعهٔ می ز ملک کاووس به است
از تخت قباد و ملکت طوس به است
هر ناله که رندی به سحرگاه زند
از طاعت زاهدان سالوس به است
Description:
A Challenge in Translating Omar Khayyam's Rubai
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in historical and cultural allusions, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The names "Kavoos" and "Qabad" are references to ancient Persian kings, and the concept of a "rumi" (a spiritually intoxicated person) adds layers of philosophical and mystical meaning.
English Translation
A more literal translation
A sip of wine from the kingdom of Kavoos,
From the throne of Qabad and the kingdom of Tus,
Every moan that a spiritual wanderer utters at dawn,
Is from the devotion of hypocritical ascetics.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
A goblet filled from ancient kings' domain,
A taste of power, pleasure, and of pain.
Each mournful cry at dawn's first light,
A mockery of those who feign the light.
A contemporary and informal translation
A drink fit for a king, a royal treat,
From ancient times, a legacy so sweet.
The moans of the spiritual, seeking truth,
Expose the pious, hiding youthful ruth.
"یک جرعهٔ می ز ملک کاووس به است": This line references the legendary king Kavoos, often associated with luxury and opulence. The wine is symbolic of earthly pleasures and indulgence.
"از تخت قباد و ملکت طوس به است": Qabad was another ancient Persian king. The reference to Tus, an ancient city in Iran, adds to the sense of historical depth and grandeur.
"هر ناله که رندی به سحرگاه زند": A "rumi" is often translated as a spiritually intoxicated person or a mystic. Their mournful cries at dawn are symbolic of a deep spiritual yearning.
"از طاعت زاهدان سالوس به است": This line is critical of hypocritical religious figures, suggesting that their piety is merely a facade.
Themes and Interpretations
The duality of human nature: The rubai hints at the dual nature of human beings, suggesting that people can be both spiritual and sensual, pious and sinful.
Criticism of hypocrisy: Khayyam often criticizes religious hypocrisy and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment at the expense of earthly pleasures.
The transience of earthly pleasures: While the wine and the kingdoms of ancient kings are symbols of earthly pleasures, the rubai also suggests that these pleasures are ultimately fleeting.
This rubai is a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and philosophical references. It invites the reader to contemplate the nature of pleasure, spirituality, and hypocrisy. The contrast between the worldly pleasures represented by the wine and the spiritual yearnings of the "rumi" creates a complex and thought-provoking image.