Quatrain 58 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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آرند یکی و دیگری بربایندبر هیچکسی راز همینگشایند
ما را ز قضا جز این قدر ننمایندپیمانهٔ عمر ماست میپیمایند
Description:
A Challenge in Translating Omar Khayyam's Rubai
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in philosophical and existential undertones, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The imagery of giving and taking, the concept of secrets, and the comparison of life to a cup being measured contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
They give to one and take from another,
They reveal no secrets to anyone.
Fate has shown us nothing more than this,
They are measuring the cup of our lives.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Fortune deals her cards, both gain and loss,
Her secrets hidden, at any cost.
Fate's cruel hand our lives does measure,
Each moment fleeting, beyond our treasure.
A contemporary and informal translation
Life's a game of give and take, you see,
No one's gonna share their secrets with thee.
Fate's got a plan, it's plain to see,
Counting down the days for you and me.
"آرند یکی و دیگری بربایند": This line suggests the cyclical nature of life, where one person gains while another loses.
"بر هیچکسی راز همینگشایند": This line implies that the secrets of the universe or fate are unknown to humans.
"ما را ز قضا جز این قدر ننمایند": This line indicates that fate has a predetermined course for each individual.
"پیمانهٔ عمر ماست میپیمایند": This line compares life to a cup being measured, emphasizing the limited nature of human existence.
Themes and Interpretations
The mystery of life: The rubai suggests that the mysteries of life are beyond human comprehension.
The impermanence of life: The poem emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
The role of fate: The rubai highlights the role of fate in shaping our lives.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the cup being measured and the secrets of fate create a powerful visual representation of the mysteries of existence.