Quatrain 78 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Quatrain 78 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
By
@hamed
دهقان قضا بسی چو ما کشت و درود
غم خوردن بیهوده نمیدارد سود
پر کن قدح می به کفم درنه زود
تا باز خورم که بودنیها همه بود
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 reaper of death, the futility of sorrow, and the impermanence of life contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
The reaper of fate has harvested many like us,
There's no use in grieving pointlessly.
Fill my cup with wine quickly,
So that I may drink while all that is to be, still is.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Death's harvest reaps us all, a common fate,
Why grieve for what we cannot reinstate?
Fill high my cup, let joy and wine relate,
While life's brief candle still illuminates.
A contemporary and informal translation
Death gets us all, no matter who we are,
So why be sad, it's really not that far.
Pour me a drink, let's have a good time,
While we're still alive, let's drink to life's prime.
"دهقان قضا بسی چو ما کشت و درود": This line refers to death as a reaper, harvesting lives.
"غم خوردن بیهوده نمیدارد سود": This line suggests that grieving is futile.
"پر کن قدح می به کفم درنه زود": This line is a direct request for wine.
"تا باز خورم که بودنیها همه بود": This line emphasizes the impermanence of life and the importance of enjoying the present.
Themes and Interpretations
Acceptance of death: The poem encourages acceptance of death as an inevitable part of life.
Carpe diem: The rubai emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and enjoying life's pleasures.
Futility of sorrow: The poem suggests that grieving is a waste of time.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the reaper and the wine cup create a powerful visual representation of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of finding joy in the face of death.