Quatrain 79 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
روزیست خوش و هوا نه گرم است و نه سردابر از رخ گلزار همیشوید گرد
بلبل به زبان حال خود با گل زردفریاد همیکند که می باید خورد
Description:
A Note About This Quatrain
The imagery of a perfect day, the blooming rose, and the nightingale's song contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
The day is pleasant, neither hot nor cold,
Clouds gather around the rose garden's face.
The nightingale, with the heart's voice, to the yellow rose,
Cries out, saying: "Wine must be drunk."
A more poetic and interpretive translation
A perfect day, the air is sweet and mild,
Clouds softly kiss the rose's face so child.
The nightingale, with heart laid bare and bold,
Sings out to drink, as stories have been told.
A contemporary and informal translation
It's a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold,
Clouds gather 'round the roses, a sight to behold.
The nightingale sings, its heart full of glee,
"Let's drink wine," it seems to say to me.
"روزیست خوش و هوا نه گرم است و نه سرد": This line describes a perfect day.
"ابر از رخ گلزار همیشوید گرد": This line creates a beautiful image of clouds gathering around the rose garden.
"بلبل به زبان حال خود با گل زرد": This line personifies the nightingale, suggesting it speaks for the heart.
"فریاد همیکند که می باید خورد": This line is a direct call for drinking wine.
Themes and Interpretations
Carpe diem: The poem encourages seizing the moment and enjoying life's pleasures.
Nature's beauty: The rubai celebrates the beauty of nature and the natural world.
The joy of living: The poem expresses a deep joy in living and a desire to savor life's pleasures.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the rose, the nightingale, and the perfect day create a powerful visual representation of the ephemeral nature of life and the importance of enjoying the present moment.