The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LVII

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh, Thou, who didst with Pitfall and with Gin
Beset the Road I was to wander in,

   Thou wilt not with Predestination round
Enmesh me, and impute my Fall to Sin?

 

This is the fifty-seventh quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet says oh, the Creator, it is You who did create all the vice (gin) and the obstacles (pitfalls) in my way. The road that I travel on (life) is beset of just evil distraction and undue hardships. The One is responsible for all these are these designs and baits in his path. With such snares, They can not hold me responsible for getting entangled into such traps. With such a course per-decided, how can They lay blame on me for my Falling. It was always meant to be, I did not get to choose to avoid these or I did not choose these.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LVI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this I know:  whether the one True Light,
Kindle to Love, or Wrath consume me quite,
    One glimpse of It within the Tavern caught
Better than in the Temple lost outright.

This is the fifty-sixth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet says I know this, I am sure about this. The True Light, the one that drives such passion and emotion of Divine Love or Wrath. Those emotions consumes my entire self. It is better to get a glimpse of that Being in a casual encounter in a tavern where we meet and chance upon as friends or companions on a journey than to be lost utterly trying to find Him in a temple. As an equal companion in a informal tavern, a glimpse could turn into a conversation about the nature of things. But in a temple setting, where I am one of the countless seeker, chances are I will be lost than getting some answers from You.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LV

The Vine had struck a Fibre; which about
If clings my Being--let the Sufi flout;
Of my Base Metal may be filed a Key,
That shall unlock the Door he howls without.

This is the fifty-fifth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The wine (made from grapes from the vines) has stuck me hard, has stuck deep and has touched the marrow. It has wrapped around my Self and moved me to a higher plane. Such is the ecstasy of it! I do not care if the world sees me as a Sufi gone berserk! Let it be! This base and primal and unremarkable state of my Being has now been filed into a Key (by the pleasures of the vine) that will unlock the secrets of the existence, without the howling and fervour utterances that has till now achieved nothing. There is nothing to be found by zealous arguments and passionate devotion. A glass of this would move to a state of mystical bliss where all worries, all questions do not matter.. everything is ephemeral, but it has to be lived.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LIV

I tell Thee this---When, starting from the Goal,
Over the shoulders of the flaming Foal
Of Heav'n and Parwin and Mushtari they flung,
In my predestin'd Plot of Dust and Soul.

This is the fifty-fourth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. To say these lines are obtuse would be an understatement. I have not been able to gather my head around it. There is references to heavenly bodies like Mushtari, Parwin and the flaming foal of heaven. Here is my take. When starting from the Goal (an eventual demise or a fulfillment of something) and looking back and over there in the heavenly sky, lies these eternal bodies flying around and amidst all this my predestined life is playing out from the goal to the birth. If my goal/end is given and decided already so already has my entire life and its origins been. Even if I were to live backwards, these bodies would be flying around and so ignore them for they do not decide the destiny of man. Here dust and soul covers both the material and the supernal and use to 'plot' is used to manifest an intrigue on part of the One who has already decided.

Credits - see here

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LIII

With Earth's first Clay They did the Last Man's knead,
And then of the Last Harvest sow'd the Seed:
Yea, the first Morning of Creation wrote
What the Last Dawn of Reckoning shall read.

This is the fifty-third quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat.In previous quatrains, the theme was of how our lives are being controlled by powers that we know nothing of, how this world is just a game of chess for gods above. With this quatrain, this takes it further, the game of chess is actually rigged for the moves are already preordained. When the earth's first clay was molded, it was already decided what the Last Man would knead. The first Seed was actually destined to be sowed in the Last Harvest. And in the first morning of Creation, it was written how the Last Dawn of reckoning (of Judgement Day) will play out. Not only are we powerless, but also it does not really matter for it has all been decided before hand. Even the semblance of control or free choice in this cosmic game of chess is a fallacy for our "free choice" is already predestined.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LII

And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky,
Whereunder crawling coop't we live and die,
Lift not thy hands to It for help--for It
Rolls impotently on as Thou or I.

This is the fifty-two quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet says under this inverted bowl that we call sky,  under which we live and die our small lives. Our lives that calls helplessly to the sky, asking for help.. pleading for succor from the heavens above. but the heavens does not lift its hands to help us in this hour of need for it also rolls meekly like us in its helplessness. Even the Gods above who play us like pieces of chess are unable to help us... They are as helpless and powerless as we are!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain LI

The Moving Finger writes; and having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

This is the fifty-first quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The themes of this quatrains is same as the one before. We do not have control over our destiny. We may do whatever we may like (pray or argue) but that will not roll back or change what has been determined for us. We are just pawns in this game for the powers that are outside of our control. The Moving finger (as in who is writing the fate) and having written moves on. The mortal lamentations and arguments and religious devoutness will not make it cancel half a line. All our tears will not wash away a word of what has been written.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain L

The Ball no Question makes of Ayes and Noes,
But Right or Left as strikes the Player goes;
And He that toss'd Thee down into the Field,
He knows about it all--He knows--HE knows!

This is the fiftieth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. As with the similar themes that was presented in the previous quatrains, one about the Player controlling what the pieces do and the lowly and unaware pieces have no choice. All has already been decided, all is predisposed. What we think is free choice and free will is in fact, actions of someone higher. The Ball has no choice of left or right or of Yes or No other than do what (or does) what the Player decides. And this Player know it all. Like pieces of chess, whose victories and tragedies, and their valor and intrigue are nothing but the makings of the Player. Maybe what we have is same. All this for a game, all this is just a game!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLIX

'Tis all a Chequer-board of Nights and Days
Where Destiny with Men for Pieces plays:
Hither and thither moves, and mates, and slays,
And one by one back in the Closet lays.

This is the forty-ninth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat and among one of the few quatrains that are fairly clear what they want convey. The poet says in this chessboard of night and day, where humans are mere pawns in the hands of destiny. Destiny decides and the pawns move hither and thither. Not by their own gumption, but on the vagaries of what fate and destiny makes of them. In this game, they slay and checkmate but ultimately all the pieces one by one go back to the box where they lay. Destiny controls all of them, makes them do things and ultimately gets the better of them.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLVIII

While the Rose blows along the River Brink,
With old Khayyam the Ruby Vintage drink:
And when the Angel with his darker Draught
Draws up to thee—take that, and do not shrink.

This is the forty-eighth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet says, while the roses in this pleasant garden along a river blows in the wind, and old and ripe Khayyam is sitting drinking his favorite wine and enjoying the sights and sounds that nature offers him and the glass of his beloved wine and satisfaction of his age and life lived. And in this setting, when the Angel (of Death) draws up close to you with his darker brew, take that what comes your way and accept it and do not shrink. Death has to come to all and when the time comes, accept it gracefully and with all dignity.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLVII

And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press,
End in the Nothing all Things end in--Yes--
Then fancy while Thou art, Thou art but what
Thou shalt be--Nothing--Thou shalt not be less.

This is the forty-seventh quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet says that - If the wine you drink, and the lips of the beloved you press,  if these pleasures end in Nothing, then everything of us, everything we do, everything we part of or in midst of, all amounts to nothing in the end. Then fancy this my friend while you are here, you are nothing and you shall be in future no less, where you shall be Nothing. You shall be no less, no more from your current state of play and so do not be over joyed or over dismayed by these and live as it comes!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLVI

For in and out, above, about, below,
‘Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show
Play’d in a Box whose Candle is the Sun,
Round which we Phantom Figures come and go.

This is the forty-sixth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet relates the reality all around to a magic shadow show where images are not real but part of a show put on by the all powerful. We are nobody but phantom figurines that come to live there life in the game the creator put on. Like a square box with a candle in the center and shapes cut out on the box sides, when the hot air slowly rotates the box, the candle puts on a show of shadows. Its the same with the universe, we are just small pawns devised for entertainment by the Showman. Like that magic box show where candle is the center, in this magic show the sun is the candle and we are that shapes that rotate in the night sky for someone's amusement!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLV

But leave the Wise to wrangle, and with me
The Quarrel of the Universe let be:
And, in some corner of the Hubbub coucht,
Make Game of that which makes as much of Thee.

This is the forty-fifth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet says to the reader, Come with me and leave the wise behind to wrangle with the workings of the universe and their quarrel with the way it works. And in some corner of this clamour and din of the world around us, lay quiet and let it be, take it lightly (make game) of what comes your way. Leave everything behind and come with me, leave the wise to argue and debate on their disagreement of the universe. Ignore of what's they think of you/happens to you and amidst this hue and cry, take it easy and enjoy your time!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLIV

The mighty Mahmud, the victorious Lord,
That all the misbelieving and black Horde
Of Fears and Sorrows that infest the Soul
Scatters and slays with his enchanted Sword.

This is the forty-fourth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat and among the more obtuse ones in my opinion. It talks of the mighty warlord Mahmud who with his enchanted sword scatters away and defeats the non believers and the black horde that dwell in the heart of men as fear and sorrow. As to what FitzGerald meant with these lines is anybody's guess. I mean with the benefit of hindsight we know Mahmud though mighty was any thing but enlightened. His countless raids of plunder and mayhem of Indian subcontinent is well known and if FitzGerald is conveying that Mahmud is the slayer of a non physical enemy like the sorrow and fear of the soul and having spiritual powers to rid people of the soul's misery, then it leaves me perplexed and confused about what he means with this quatrain. Perhaps written from the victors viewpoint, Mahmud has vanquished the infidels and the misery that afflicts the soul of these vanquished men with his magical sword. As with any lines of Rubaiyat, I can over-interpret.. but I will leave it at that!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLIII

The Grape that can with Logic absolute
The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects confute:
The subtle Alchemist that in a Trice
Life's leaden Metal into Gold transmute.

This is the forty-third quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat and continues in the long trend of ones that mention grape or vine. The Two-and-Seventy sects is believed to be the number of sects that Protestantism was divided into by the end of sixteenth century. The idea being that religion can not confer any truth or relief. All they are is motley group of jarring endless debates and disputes. They are a waste of precious time. Life would be better off following the logic of wine, its logic is absolute and single tone, i.e. to enjoy life enjoy as it comes. Enjoy this moment for only this moment is real. As opposed to countless truths and meaning these contesting sects conjure! The subtle and self-effacing wine quickly converts the dark and hard marrow of life into joyful and pleasant moment in the present like an alchemist who transmute lead to gold. Such is the joys of the Grape!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLII

And lately, by the Tavern Door agape,
Came stealing through the Dusk an Angel Shape
Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and
He bid me taste of it; and 'twas-- the Grape!

This is the forty-second quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat and continuing with the long line of those dealing with wine/vine or grape. And in the tavern, I was sitting and waiting for my glass of wine to come and behold!. Through the dusk,  I see an angel (shape) and carrying a jar on his shoulder, he asked me to taste it and it tasted to be wine!. In the darkness of the night in the tavern, the door unlocked and in the early morning light seeping through the door, slithering through that the door I saw an angel shape. The poet seems to be referring to the bartender as an angel shape (for the early morning sun behind the slightly open door is making his silhouette look like a shape of an angel as if basking in a divine light) carrying with him the vessel on his shoulder. And what does this Angel Shape bring for him? His treasured and beloved wine! who knows. May be the bartender is the Angel from God bringing with him in vessel of pure knowledge and understanding amidst of the new morning & new awakening..and I taste this and it is the heavenly wine..

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XLI

For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and Line
And "Up-and-down" without, I could define,
I yet in all I only cared to know,
Was never deep in anything but--wine.

This is the forty-first quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. Another of similarly themed quatrain. This disdain for constant reasoning and analysis on the questions of human suffering and human condition at the expense of the real and material. All the logic, all the reasoning and countless and never ending discussion will not solve the questions that grapple the human mind. How to make sense of our lives? how to live it? Why are we here? What of death? The poet says that he understands the rules and logic. He is well versed with act of deducing and intelligent thought, but all he care about was the wine. He never cared to get deep into (to get to the bottom of) in anything other than the wine. The intoxication of the present, the joys of the material world, the elation of the sensual, the companionship of the fellow traveller, the agitation of the wine is worth living for and relishing for!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XL

You know, my Friends, how long since in my House
For a new Marriage I did make Carouse:
Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,
And took the daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

This is the fortieth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet addressing to his friends, says that it's been long that I had a new marriage. I am disclosing out the details to you all today. For the marriage ceremony, we had a loud and boisterous carouse (basically a drunken revelry). I in this new marriage has taken the daughter of the grape vine as my new wife and I have divorced the old and barren reasoning and logic from my bed. I sleep every night not with the reasoning of my actions, but with the realization of the day well spent! The motive of the lines is same as the last quatrains. Too much time has been lost in reasoning and sound judgement as it is taking us nowhere. Instead he has taken wine as his new wife and engaged in living in more earthly delights and pleasure of the senses. All the logic and reasoning will tire you out and the teaching of the learned and wise would just lead you confused and still with no clear answers. Flow with the flow and it may lead you somewhere unexpected but be glad of the joys of the journey you had. Think too hard and reason too much, you still will end up where possibly you had not expected and for sure did not enjoy the journey either!

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XXXIX

How long, how long in infinite Pursuit
Of This and That endeavour and dispute?
Better be merry with the fruitful Grape
Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

This is the thirty-ninth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The poet opens up with a question asking us, for how long we are going pursue in our endeavors and wishes for these pursuits are infinite. For how long we will continue to resolve the disputes and challenges of life for they are also endless. These pursuits and challenges of life are infinite and unsolvable. It is better to be merry with the fruitful grape instead of wasting your time and energy over nothing or worse, a bitter fruit. Instead of bound to life's spiritual endeavor and earthly disputes that go on for ever, why not merry oneself with the modest and fleshy grape growing in the backyard than with nothing in hand or worse, a bitter fruit. Be happy with what you have and enjoy it rather than pursue infinite and life consuming tasks that may lead to disappointment or no time to enjoy what you already have.

The Rubaiyat: Quatrain XXXVIII

Ah, fill the Cup:--what boots it to repeat
How Time is slipping underneath our Feet:
Unborn To-morrow and dead Yesterday,
Why fret about them if To-day be sweet!

This is the thirty-eighth quatrain of the FitzGerald's Rubaiyat. The same motif as in previous quatrains runs in these lines as well. The essence of Time is that it flies, waiting for no one, stopping at nothing, constantly moving forward. And in this constant ho-hum of time, we need to live mindful of the fact that our time is limited. Fill the cup (make merry and enjoy), what purpose/profit (boots [archaic]: profit) will it serve to repeat the same known facts about how time is slipping by beneath our feet. Why fret about the unknown and yet unborn future and the already dead past. You can not do anything about the either of them, so why worry about them. Enjoy the today!. Live for today and make it sweet.