Quatrain 88 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Quatrain 88 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
By
@hamed
گویند بهشت و حور و کوثر باشد
جوی می و شیر و شهد و شکر باشد
پر کن قدح باده و بر دستم نه
نقدی ز هزار نسیه خوشتر باشد
Description:
A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam
English Translation:
They say there will be paradise, houris, and the river of life,
Streams of wine, milk, honey, and sugar will flow.
Fill up the cup of wine and place it in my hand,
For a cash payment is better than a thousand promises.
Analysis of the Rubai
This quatrain by Omar Khayyam offers a playful and philosophical perspective on life, death, and the afterlife, similar to the previous one.
The promise of paradise: The first two lines again reference the traditional Islamic belief in paradise and its pleasures, including the river of life (Kowsar).
The preference for earthly pleasures: The third line again emphasizes the poet's preference for the pleasures of this world, specifically wine.
The value of the present moment: The final line highlights the importance of enjoying the present moment and the unreliability of future promises.
Deeper Meanings and Interpretations
Questioning religious beliefs: Like the previous rubai, this one can be seen as a questioning of traditional religious beliefs about the afterlife.
Carpe diem: The poem once again emphasizes the "carpe diem" philosophy, urging readers to seize the day and enjoy life's pleasures.
Skepticism of the afterlife: The poet seems to express a degree of skepticism about the promises of paradise, preferring the tangible pleasures of this life.
In essence, this rubai reinforces the idea that enjoying the present moment is more valuable than waiting for future rewards.