Meaning:
The quote "I sometimes think that never blows so red The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled; That every Hyacinth the Garden wears Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head" is from the poem "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" translated by Edward Fitzgerald. The Rubaiyat is a collection of quatrains attributed to the Persian poet Omar Khayyam, and Fitzgerald's translation is perhaps the most well-known and widely read version in English.
In this particular quote, Fitzgerald reflects on the idea that the beauty of nature, symbolized by the red rose and the hyacinth, is somehow connected to the tragedies and sorrows of human history. The imagery of the red rose blooming where Caesar bled and the hyacinth dropping from a once lovely head suggests a profound intertwining of nature and human experience.
The reference to "some buried Caesar" evokes the image of ancient Rome and the violence and power struggles that marked its history. The mention of Caesar's blood fertilizing the ground where the rose grows implies that beauty and vitality can emerge from the darkness and suffering of the past. This idea is a recurring theme in the Rubaiyat, where the transient nature of life and the interplay between joy and sorrow are often explored.
Similarly, the image of the hyacinth dropping from a "once lovely head" suggests a sense of loss and impermanence. The flower, known for its fragrant blossoms, is depicted as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of beauty and life. This theme of transience is also central to the overall message of the Rubaiyat, as the poet contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality.
Fitzgerald's translation of the Rubaiyat is celebrated for its lyrical and evocative language, as well as its ability to capture the essence of Khayyam's philosophical musings. The poem's themes of mortality, the beauty of nature, and the interplay between joy and sorrow continue to resonate with readers across generations and cultures.
Overall, this quote from the Rubaiyat encapsulates the profound interconnectedness of human experience and the natural world, as well as the enduring themes of beauty, transience, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and contemplative language, the poem invites readers to reflect on the universal truths of existence and find solace in the transient beauty that surrounds us.
I hope this information helps provide a deeper understanding of the quote and its significance in the context of the Rubaiyat.