Quatrain 73 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Quatrain 73 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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تا زهره و مه در آسمان گشت پدید
بهتر ز می ناب کسی هیچ ندید
من در عجبم ز میفروشان کایشان
به زآنکه فروشند چه خواهند خرید
Description:
A Note About This Quatrain
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in philosophical and existential undertones, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The imagery of the celestial bodies, the concept of wine as a metaphor for life, and the question of what the wine sellers themselves desire contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
Since Venus and the Moon have appeared in the sky,
No one has seen anything better than pure wine.
I wonder about the wine sellers, for what do they desire,
Better than what they sell?
A more poetic and interpretive translation
With Venus shining bright, and moonlit night,
Nothing compares to wine's pure delight.
I ponder those who sell this nectar fine,
What greater joy could they possibly find?
A contemporary and informal translation
Since the stars shine bright above,
Nothing beats a good drink, full of love.
I wonder what the bartenders think,
Is there anything better than the drink they sink?
"تا زهره و مه در آسمان گشت پدید": This line sets a beautiful and romantic scene.
"بهتر ز می ناب کسی هیچ ندید": This line extols the virtues of wine, suggesting it is the pinnacle of earthly pleasures.
"من در عجبم ز میفروشان کایشان": This line introduces a philosophical question about the wine sellers.
"به زآنکه فروشند چه خواهند خرید": This line asks what greater pleasure could these people possibly desire.
Themes and Interpretations
The joy of life:
The poem celebrates the simple pleasures of life, particularly the enjoyment of wine.
The nature of desire: The rubai raises questions about human desire and the pursuit of happiness.
The irony of existence: There's a hint of irony in the question of what the wine sellers desire, suggesting that those who provide pleasure may not always experience it themselves.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the celestial bodies and the concept of wine create a powerful visual representation of the pursuit of pleasure and the complexities of human desire.