Song lyrics

Past is beautiful

📜 Lyrics

Those dwellings of desire's domain, Those intoxications of love's refrain, Those heights of coyness's sacred sphere, Those lowly grounds of submission's strain. That silence of the flowing stream's grace, That quiet splendor of the moonlit space, Those gatherings of longing and of pride, That peace bestowing rest from passion's race. Those mischiefs in the days of youth's fire, Those burning passions' ardent desire, Those warmths of life within the soul's expanse, Those tidings in the heart's melodic choir. Those stories whispered in the quiet night, Those muted grievances, subdued from sight, That veil drawn over hope's manifestation, Those tender tales the heart holds tight. Those letters written, those requests conveyed, Those varied writings, delicately made, Those gentle softnesses of beauty's pride, Those showers falling from affection's aid. A goblet in those tender, graceful hands, Joy upon joy as pleasure's sweetness stands, The revolutions of that intoxicated gaze, A look that sells away all other strands. My eyes were not shedding tears in vain, My lips held neither sigh nor their refrain, In all my passions burned youth's vibrant flame, No worry of the world caused me such pain. Sometimes kindness came, and sometimes cruelty's test, Sometimes revelry, sometimes sorrows pressed, Sometimes laughter filled the gathering's delight, Sometimes weeping made my eyes distressed. Sometimes you desired me in return, Sometimes your gaze upon me came to turn, My state was not so sorrowful as this, My life had not so utterly to burn. Those times, I do remember them still clear, Whether you recall them, far or near.

💡 Meaning & story

A Complete Explanation of the Poem Central Idea: In this poem, the poet is sketching a map of beautiful memories from the past, moments of love, and the changing expressions of time. It is an elegy for the time that has passed and for those emotions that now remain only within the bounds of memory. ________________________________________ Stanza 1: (Initial States of Being) That world of longing's dwellings, that wine of love's intoxication... those lowly bows of reverence Explanation: The poet is evoking that past world where only love and yearning reigned. He remembers the intoxication of love, the majesty of the beloved's threshold (the sanctum of grace), and his own humility before it (the lowly bows of reverence). It was a time when to bend in love was the greatest elevation. Stanza 2: (Scenery and Tranquility) That silent scene by flowing waters, that mute splendor of moonlight... that peace soothing all turmoil Explanation: Here the poet recalls the atmosphere in which he spent time with his beloved. The silence by the river's edge, the beauty of a moonlit night, and the gatherings with the beloved—all these were things that soothed the heart's restlessness and anxiety. Stanza 3: (Youth and Longings) Those mischievous pranks in youth, that fervor in nature's truth... those glad tidings in the heart's ruth Explanation: This stanza reflects the passion and intensity of youth. Those pranks, that ardor, and the hopes and good news rising in the heart for the future. Life was filled with movement and warmth at that time. Stanza 4: (Silent Discourse) Those tales within silences, those complaints in whispered voices... those tender heart's intimacies Explanation: In love, often things are not spoken aloud. The poet recalls how entire stories were told even in silence, and how soft grievances and the heart's delicate matters were conveyed only through glances and gestures. Stanza 5: (Letters and Correspondence) Those letters and those pleas, those writings of diverse expertise... those showers of the beloved's gracious gaze Explanation: Love in those old times was incomplete without letters. The poet remembers those letters, the entreaties written in them, and the favors and kind glances received from the beloved. Stanza 6: (Intoxicated Atmosphere) In those delicate hands that cup of wine, that bliss of the goblet again and again... those eyes that made everything their own Explanation: In the beloved's tender hands, the cup, and the repeated bliss of drinking from it. The beloved's enchanted gaze was such that it seemed to make everything its captive. Stanza 7: (Careflessness) My eyes were not then weeping with tears, my lips bore no sighs or cries... I had no worry for the world's affairs Explanation: This speaks of a time when the poet was untouched by love's sorrow. There were no tears in the eyes, no laments on the lips. The fervor of youth was such that there was no concern for any of the world's worries. Stanza 8: (Contradictions of the Past) Sometimes grace and sometimes cruelty, sometimes joy and sometimes pain... sometimes eyes moist from the intensity of emotion Explanation: All the colors of love are mentioned—sometimes the beloved's kindness, sometimes his cruelty. Sometimes happiness, sometimes sorrow. Sometimes there were celebrations in gatherings, sometimes from the fear of separation or the intensity of emotion, the eyes would become moist. Stanza 9: (The Conclusion) Once you too desired me, once your gaze too fell upon me... my life was not thus ruined then Explanation: The poet reminds the beloved that there was a time when you too loved me and your gracious gaze was upon me. Then my life was not as sorrowful and ruined as it is today because of your coldness. The Refrain: That time is remembered by me, whether you remember it or forget Explanation: This is the essence of the entire poem. The poet says that all those memories are still fresh in my heart; now it is up to your conscience or memory whether you remember them or forget them.