THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM

8/2/2019 THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM

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RUBAIYATOFOMARKHAYYAM

ByOmarKhayyam

RenderedintoEnglishVersebyEdwardFitzgerald

Contents:

Introduction.FirstEdition.FifthEdition.Notes.

Introduction

OmarKhayyam,TheAstronomer-PoetofPersia.

OmarKhayyamwasbornatNaishapurinKhorassaninthelatterhalfofourEleventh,anddiedwithintheFirstQuarterofourTwelfthCentury.TheSlenderStoryofhisLifeiscuriouslytwinedaboutthatoftwootherveryconsiderableFiguresintheirTimeandCountry:oneofwhomtellstheStoryofallThree.ThiswasNizamulMulk,ViziertoAlpArslantheSon,andMalikShahtheGrandson,ofToghrulBegtheTartar,whohadwrestedPersiafromthefeebleSuccessorofMahmudtheGreat,andfoundedthatSeljukianDynastywhichfinallyrousedEuropeintotheCrusades.ThisNizamulMulk,inhisWasiyat--orTestament--whichhewroteandleftasaMemorialforfutureStatesmen--relatesthefollowing,asquotedintheCalcuttaReview,No.59,fromMirkhond'sHistoryoftheAssassins.

"'OneofthegreatestofthewisemenofKhorassanwastheImamMowaffakofNaishapur,amanhighlyhonoredandreverenced,--mayGodrejoicehissoul;hisillustriousyearsexceededeighty-five,anditwastheuniversalbeliefthateveryboywhoreadtheKoranorstudiedthetraditionsinhispresence,wouldassuredlyattaintohonorandhappiness.ForthiscausedidmyfathersendmefromTustoNaishapurwithAbd-us-samad,thedoctoroflaw,thatImightemploymyselfinstudyandlearningundertheguidanceofthatillustriousteacher.Towardsmeheeverturnedaneyeoffavorandkindness,andashispupilIfeltforhimextremeaffectionanddevotion,sothatIpassedfouryearsinhisservice.WhenIfirstcamethere,Ifoundtwootherpupilsofmineownagenewlyarrived,HakimOmarKhayyam,andtheill-fatedBenSabbah.Bothwereendowedwithsharpnessofwitandthe

highestnaturalpowers;andwethreeformedaclosefriendshiptogether.WhentheImamrosefromhislectures,theyusedtojoinme,andwerepeatedtoeachotherthelessonswehadheard.NowOmarwasanativeofNaishapur,whileHasanBenSabbah'sfatherwasoneAli,amanofausterelifeandpractise,buthereticalinhiscreedanddoctrine.OnedayHasansaidtomeandtoKhayyam,"ItisauniversalbeliefthatthepupilsoftheImamMowaffakwillattaintofortune.Now,evenifwealldonotattainthereto,withoutdoubtoneofuswill;whatthenshallbeourmutualpledgeandbond?"Weanswered,"Beitwhatyouplease.""Well,"hesaid,"letusmakeavow,thatto



whomsoeverthisfortunefalls,heshallshareitequallywiththerest,andreservenopre-eminenceforhimself.""Beitso,"webothreplied,andonthosetermswemutuallypledgedourwords.Yearsrolledon,andIwentfromKhorassantoTransoxiana,andwanderedtoGhazniandCabul;andwhenIreturned,Iwasinvestedwithoffice,androsetobeadministratorofaffairsduringtheSultanateofSultanAlpArslan.'

"Hegoesontostate,thatyearspassedby,andbothhisoldschool-friendsfoundhimout,andcameandclaimedashareinhisgoodfortune,accordingtotheschool-dayvow.TheVizierwasgenerousandkepthisword.Hasandemandedaplaceinthegovernment,whichtheSultangrantedattheVizier'srequest;butdiscontentedwithagradualrise,heplungedintothemazeofintrigueofanorientalcourt,and,failinginabaseattempttosupplanthisbenefactor,hewasdisgracedandfell.Aftermanymishapsandwanderings,HasanbecametheheadofthePersiansectoftheIsmailians,--apartyoffanaticswhohadlongmurmuredinobscurity,butrosetoanevileminenceundertheguidanceofhisstrongandevilwill.InA.D.1090,heseizedthecastleofAlamut,intheprovinceofRudbar,whichliesinthemountainoustractsouthoftheCaspianSea;anditwasfromthismountainhomeheobtainedthatevilcelebrityamongtheCrusadersastheOLDMANOFTHEMOUNTAINS,andspreadterrorthroughtheMohammedanworld;anditisyetdisputedwherethewordAssassin,

whichtheyhaveleftinthelanguageofmodernEuropeastheirdarkmemorial,isderivedfromthehashish,oropiateofhemp-leaves(theIndianbhang),withwhichtheymaddenedthemselvestothesullenpitchoforientaldesperation,orfromthenameofthefounderofthedynasty,whomwehaveseeninhisquietcollegiatedays,atNaishapur.OneofthecountlessvictimsoftheAssassin'sdaggerwasNizamulMulkhimself,theoldschool-boyfriend.[1]

"OmarKhayyamalsocametotheViziertoclaimhisshare;butnottoaskfortitleoroffice.'Thegreatestboonyoucanconferonme,'hesaid,'istoletmeliveinacornerundertheshadowofyourfortune,tospreadwidetheadvantagesofScience,andprayforyourlonglifeandprosperity.'TheViziertellsus,thatwhenhefoundOmarwas

reallysincereinhisrefusal,hepressedhimnofurther,butgrantedhimayearlypensionof1200mithkalsofgoldfromthetreasuryofNaishapur.

"AtNaishapurthuslivedanddiedOmarKhayyam,'busied,'addstheVizier,'inwinningknowledgeofeverykind,andespeciallyinAstronomy,whereinheattainedtoaveryhighpre-eminence.UndertheSultanateofMalikShah,hecametoMerv,andobtainedgreatpraiseforhisproficiencyinscience,andtheSultanshoweredfavorsuponhim.'

"WhentheMalikShahdeterminedtoreformthecalendar,Omarwasoneoftheeightlearnedmenemployedtodoit;theresultwastheJalali

era(socalledfromJalal-ud-din,oneoftheking'snames)--'acomputationoftime,'saysGibbon,'whichsurpassestheJulian,andapproachestheaccuracyoftheGregorianstyle.'Heisalsotheauthorofsomeastronomicaltables,entitled'Ziji-Malikshahi,'andtheFrenchhavelatelyrepublishedandtranslatedanArabicTreatiseofhisonAlgebra.

"HisTakhallusorpoeticalname(Khayyam)signifiesaTent-maker,andheissaidtohaveatonetimeexercisedthattrade,perhapsbeforeNizam-ul-Mulk'sgenerosityraisedhimtoindependence.ManyPersian



poetssimilarlyderivetheirnamesfromtheiroccupations;thuswehaveAttar,'adruggist,'Assar,'anoilpresser,'etc.[2]Omarhimselfalludestohisnameinthefollowingwhimsicallines:--

"'Khayyam,whostitchedthetentsofscience,

Hasfalleningrief'sfurnaceandbeensuddenlyburned;TheshearsofFatehavecutthetentropesofhislife,AndthebrokerofHopehassoldhimfornothing!'

"WehaveonlyonemoreanecdotetogiveofhisLife,andthatrelatestotheclose;itistoldintheanonymousprefacewhichissometimesprefixedtohispoems;ithasbeenprintedinthePersianintheAppendixtoHyde'sVeterumPersarumReligio,p.499;andD'HerbelotalludestoitinhisBibliotheque,underKhiam.[3]--

"'ItiswritteninthechroniclesoftheancientsthatthisKingoftheWise,OmarKhayyam,diedatNaishapurintheyearoftheHegira,517(A.D.1123);insciencehewasunrivaled,--theveryparagonofhisage.KhwajahNizamiofSamarcand,whowasoneofhispupils,relatesthefollowingstory:"Ioftenusedtoholdconversationswithmyteacher,OmarKhayyam,inagarden;andonedayhesaidtome,'Mytombshallbeinaspotwherethenorthwindmayscatterrosesoverit.'Iwonderedatthewordshespake,butIknewthathiswere

noidlewords.[4]Yearsafter,whenIchancedtorevisitNaishapur,Iwenttohisfinalresting-place,andlo!itwasjustoutsideagarden,andtreesladenwithfruitstretchedtheirboughsoverthegardenwall,anddroppedtheirflowersuponhistomb,sothatthestonewashiddenunderthem."'"

Thusfar--withoutfearofTrespass--fromtheCalcuttaReview.Thewriterofit,onreadinginIndiathisstoryofOmar'sGrave,wasreminded,hesays,ofCicero'sAccountoffindingArchimedes'TombatSyracuse,buriedingrassandweeds.IthinkThorwaldsendesiredtohaverosesgrowoverhim;awishreligiouslyfulfilledforhimtothepresentday,Ibelieve.However,toreturntoOmar.

ThoughtheSultan"shower'dFavorsuponhim,"Omar'sEpicureanAudacityofThoughtandSpeechcausedhimtoberegardedaskanceinhisownTimeandCountry.HeissaidtohavebeenespeciallyhatedanddreadedbytheSufis,whosePractiseheridiculed,andwhoseFaithamountstolittlemorethanhisown,whenstriptoftheMysticismandformalrecognitionofIslamismunderwhichOmarwouldnothide.TheirPoets,includingHafiz,whoare(withtheexceptionofFirdausi)themostconsiderableinPersia,borrowedlargely,indeed,ofOmar'smaterial,butturningittoamysticalUsemoreconvenienttoThemselvesandthePeopletheyaddressed;aPeoplequiteasquickofDoubtasofBelief;askeenofBodilysenseasofIntellectual;anddelightinginacloudycompositionofboth,inwhichtheycouldfloatluxuriouslybetweenHeavenandEarth,andthisWorldandtheNext,on

thewingsofapoeticalexpression,thatmightserveindifferentlyforeither.OmarwastoohonestofHeartaswellofHeadforthis.Havingfailed(howevermistakenly)offindinganyProvidencebutDestiny,andanyWorldbutThis,hesetaboutmakingthemostofit;preferringrathertosoothetheSoulthroughtheSensesintoAcquiescencewithThingsashesawthem,thantoperplexitwithvaindisquietudeafterwhattheymightbe.Ithasbeenseen,however,thathisWorldlyAmbitionwasnotexorbitant;andheverylikelytakesahumorousorperversepleasureinexaltingthegratificationofSenseabovethatoftheIntellect,inwhichhemusthavetakengreat



delight,althoughitfailedtoanswertheQuestionsinwhichhe,incommonwithallmen,wasmostvitallyinterested.

ForwhateverReason,however,Omarasbeforesaid,hasneverbeenpopularinhisownCountry,andthereforehasbeenbutscantilytransmittedabroad.TheMSS.ofhisPoems,mutilatedbeyondtheaverageCasualtiesofOrientalTranscription,aresorareintheEastasscarcetohavereachtWestwardatall,inspiteofalltheacquisitionsofArmsandScience.ThereisnocopyattheIndiaHouse,noneattheBibliothequeNationaleofParis.WeknowbutofoneinEngland:No.140oftheOuseleyMSS.attheBodleian,writtenatShiraz,A.D.1460.Thiscontainsbut158Rubaiyat.OneintheAsiaticSociety'sLibraryatCalcutta(ofwhichwehaveaCopy),contains(andyetincomplete)516,thoughswelledtothatbyallkindsofRepetitionandCorruption.SoVonHammerspeaksofhisCopyascontainingabout200,whileDr.SprengercataloguestheLucknowMS.atdoublethatnumber.[5]TheScribes,too,oftheOxfordandCalcuttaMSS.seemtodotheirWorkunderasortofProtest;eachbeginningwithaTetrastich(whethergenuineornot),takenoutofitsalphabeticalorder;theOxfordwithoneofApology;theCalcuttawithoneofExpostulation,supposed(saysaNoticeprefixedtotheMS.)tohavearisenfromaDream,inwhichOmar'smotheraskedabouthisfuturefate.Itmayberenderedthus:--

"OThouwhoburn'stinHeartforthosewhoburnInHell,whosefiresthyselfshallfeedinturn,Howlongbecrying,'Mercyonthem,God!'Why,whoartThoutoteach,andHetolearn?"

TheBodleianQuatrainpleadsPantheismbywayofJustification.

"IfImyselfuponalooserCreedHavelooselystrungtheJewelofGooddeed,LetthisonethingformyAtonementplead:ThatOneforTwoIneverdidmisread."

TheReviewer,[6]towhomIowetheParticularsofOmar'sLife,

concludeshisReviewbycomparinghimwithLucretius,bothastonaturalTemperandGenius,andasacteduponbytheCircumstancesinwhichhelived.Bothindeedweremenofsubtle,strong,andcultivatedIntellect,fineImagination,andHeartspassionateforTruthandJustice;whojustlyrevoltedfromtheirCountry'sfalseReligion,andfalse,orfoolish,Devotiontoit;butwhofellshortofreplacingwhattheysubvertedbysuchbetterHopeasothers,withnobetterRevelationtoguidethem,hadyetmadeaLawtothemselves.Lucretiusindeed,withsuchmaterialasEpicurusfurnished,satisfiedhimselfwiththetheoryofavastmachinefortuitouslyconstructed,andactingbyaLawthatimpliednoLegislator;andsocomposinghimselfintoaStoicalratherthanEpicureanseverityofAttitude,satdowntocontemplatethemechanicaldramaoftheUniversewhichhewas

partActorin;himselfandallabouthim(asinhisownsublimedescriptionoftheRomanTheater)discoloredwiththeluridreflexoftheCurtainsuspendedbetweentheSpectatorandtheSun.Omar,moredesperate,ormorecarelessofanysocomplicatedSystemasresultedinnothingbuthopelessNecessity,flunghisownGeniusandLearningwithabitterorhumorousjestintothegeneralRuinwhichtheirinsufficientglimpsesonlyservedtoreveal;and,pretendingsensualpleasure,astheseriouspurposeofLife,onlydivertedhimselfwithspeculativeproblemsofDeity,Destiny,MatterandSpirit,GoodandEvil,andothersuchquestions,easiertostartthantorundown,and



thepursuitofwhichbecomesaverywearysportatlast!

WithregardtothepresentTranslation.TheoriginalRubaiyat(as,missinganArabicGuttural,theseTetrastichsaremoremusicallycalled)areindependentStanzas,consistingeachoffourLinesofequal,thoughvaried,Prosody;sometimesallrhyming,butoftener(ashereimitated)thethirdlineablank.SomewhatasintheGreekAlcaic,wherethepenultimatelineseemstoliftandsuspendtheWavethatfallsoverinthelast.AsusualwithsuchkindofOrientalVerse,theRubaiyatfollowoneanotheraccordingtoAlphabeticRhyme--astrangesuccessionofGraveandGay.ThosehereselectedarestrungintosomethingofanEclogue,withperhapsalessthanequalproportionofthe"Drinkandmake-merry,"which(genuineornot)recursover-frequentlyintheOriginal.Eitherway,theResultissadenough:saddestperhapswhenmostostentatiouslymerry:moreapttomoveSorrowthanAngertowardtheoldTentmaker,who,aftervainlyendeavoringtounshacklehisStepsfromDestiny,andtocatchsomeauthenticGlimpseofTO-MORROW,fellbackuponTO-DAY(whichhasoutlastedsomanyTo-morrows!)astheonlyGroundhehadgottostandupon,howevermomentarilyslippingfromunderhisFeet.

[FromtheThirdEdition.]

WhilethesecondEditionofthisversionofOmarwaspreparing,MonsieurNicolas,FrenchConsulatResht,publishedaverycarefulandverygoodEditionoftheText,fromalithographcopyatTeheran,comprising464Rubaiyat,withtranslationandnotesofhisown.

Mons.Nicolas,whoseEditionhasremindedmeofseveralthings,andinstructedmeinothers,doesnotconsiderOmartobethematerialEpicureanthatIhaveliterallytakenhimfor,butaMystic,shadowingtheDeityunderthefigureofWine,Wine-bearer,&c.,asHafizissupposedtodo;inshort,aSufiPoetlikeHafizandtherest.

Icannotseereasontoaltermyopinion,formedasitwasmorethana

dozenyearsagowhenOmarwasfirstshownmebyonetowhomIamindebtedforallIknowofOriental,andverymuchofother,literature.HeadmiredOmar'sGeniussomuch,thathewouldgladlyhaveadoptedanysuchInterpretationofhismeaningasMons.Nicolas'ifhecould.[7]Thathecouldnot,appearsbyhisPaperintheCalcuttaReviewalreadysolargelyquoted;inwhichhearguesfromthePoemsthemselves,aswellasfromwhatrecordsremainofthePoet'sLife.

AndifmorewereneededtodisproveMons.Nicolas'Theory,thereistheBiographicalNoticewhichhehimselfhasdrawnupindirectcontradictiontotheInterpretationofthePoemsgiveninhisNotes.(Seepp.13-14ofhisPreface.)IndeedIhardlyknewpoorOmarwasso

fargonetillhisApologistinformedme.Forhereweseethat,whateverweretheWinethatHafizdrankandsang,theveritableJuiceoftheGrapeitwaswhichOmarused,notonlywhencarousingwithhisfriends,but(saysMons.Nicolas)inordertoexcitehimselftothatpitchofDevotionwhichothersreachedbycriesand"hurlemens."Andyet,wheneverWine,Wine-bearer,&c.,occurintheText--whichisoftenenough--Mons.Nicolascarefullyannotates"Dieu,""LaDivinite,"&c.:socarefullyindeedthatoneistemptedtothinkthathewasindoctrinatedbytheSufiwithwhomhereadthePoems.(NotetoRub.ii.p.8.)APersianwouldnaturallywishtovindicatea



distinguishedCountryman;andaSufitoenrollhiminhisownsect,whichalreadycomprisesallthechiefPoetsofPersia.

WhathistoricalAuthorityhasMons.NicolastoshowthatOmargavehimselfup"avecpassional'etudedelaphilosophiedesSoufis"?(Preface,p.xiii.)TheDoctrinesofPantheism,Materialism,Necessity,&c.,werenotpeculiartotheSufi;nortoLucretiusbeforethem;nortoEpicurusbeforehim;probablytheveryoriginalIrreligionofThinkingmenfromthefirst;andverylikelytobethespontaneousgrowthofaPhilosopherlivinginanAgeofsocialandpoliticalbarbarism,undershadowofoneoftheTwoandSeventyReligionssupposedtodividetheworld.VonHammer(accordingtoSprenger'sOrientalCatalogue)speaksofOmaras"aFree-thinker,andagreatopponentofSufism;"perhapsbecause,whileholdingmuchoftheirDoctrine,hewouldnotpretendtoanyinconsistentseverityofmorals.SirW.Ouseleyhaswrittenanotetosomethingofthesameeffectonthefly-leafoftheBodleianMS.AndintwoRubaiyatofMons.Nicolas'ownEditionSufandSufiarebothdisparaginglynamed.

NodoubtmanyoftheseQuatrainsseemunaccountableunlessmysticallyinterpreted;butmanymoreasunaccountableunlessliterally.WeretheWinespiritual,forinstance,howwashtheBodywithitwhendead?Whymakecupsofthedeadclaytobefilledwith--"LaDivinite,"bysomesucceedingMystic?Mons.Nicolashimselfispuzzledbysome

"bizarres"and"tropOrientales"allusionsandimages--"d'unesensualitequelquefoisrevoltante"indeed--which"lesconvenances"donotpermithimtotranslate;butstillwhichthereadercannotbutreferto"LaDivinite."[8]NodoubtalsomanyoftheQuatrainsintheTeheran,asintheCalcutta,Copies,arespurious;suchRubaiyatbeingthecommonformofEpigraminPersia.Butthis,atbest,tellsasmuchonewayasanother;nay,theSufi,whomaybeconsideredtheScholarandManofLettersinPersia,wouldbefarmorelikelythanthecarelessEpicuretointerpolatewhatfavourshisownviewofthePoet.IobservedthatveryfewofthemoremysticalQuatrainsareintheBodleianMS.,whichmustbeoneoftheoldest,asdatedatShiraz,A.H.865,A.D.1460.Andthis,Ithink,especiallydistinguishesOmar(Icannothelpcallinghimbyhis--no,notChristian--familiarname)

fromallotherPersianPoets:That,whereaswiththemthePoetislostinhisSong,theManinAllegoryandAbstraction;weseemtohavetheMan--theBon-homme--Omarhimself,withallhisHumoursandPassions,asfranklybeforeusasifwewerereallyatTablewithhim,aftertheWinehadgoneround.

ImustsaythatI,forone,neverwhollybelievedintheMysticismofHafiz.ItdoesnotappeartherewasanydangerinholdingandsingingSufiPantheism,solongasthePoetmadehisSalaamtoMohammedatthebeginningandendofhisSong.UndersuchconditionsJelaluddin,Jami,Attar,andotherssang;usingWineandBeautyindeedasImagestoillustrate,notasaMasktohide,theDivinitytheywerecelebrating.PerhapssomeAllegorylessliabletomistakeorabuse

hadbeenbetteramongsoinflammableaPeople:muchmoresowhen,assomethinkwithHafizandOmar,theabstractisnotonlylikenedto,butidentifiedwith,thesensualImage;hazardous,ifnottotheDevoteehimself,yettohisweakerBrethren;andworsefortheProfaneinproportionastheDevotionoftheInitiatedgrewwarmer.Andallforwhat?TobetantalizedwithImagesofsensualenjoymentwhichmustberenouncedifonewouldapproximateaGod,whoaccordingtotheDoctrine,isSensualMatteraswellasSpirit,andintowhoseUniverseoneexpectsunconsciouslytomergeafterDeath,withouthopeofanyposthumousBeatitudeinanotherworldtocompensateforallone'sself-



denialinthis.Lucretius'blindDivinitycertainlymerited,andprobablygot,asmuchself-sacrificeasthisoftheSufi;andtheburdenofOmar'sSong--ifnot"Letuseat"--isassuredly--"Letusdrink,forTo-morrowwedie!"AndifHafizmeantquiteotherwisebyasimilarlanguage,hesurelymiscalculatedwhenhedevotedhisLifeandGeniustosoequivocalaPsalmodyas,fromhisDaytothis,hasbeensaidandsungbyanyratherthanspiritualWorshippers.

However,asthereissometraditionalpresumption,andcertainlytheopinionofsomelearnedmen,infavourofOmar'sbeingaSufi--andevensomethingofaSaint--thosewhopleasemaysointerprethisWineandCup-bearer.Ontheotherhand,asthereisfarmorehistoricalcertaintyofhisbeingaPhilosopher,ofscientificInsightandAbilityfarbeyondthatoftheAgeandCountryhelivedin;ofsuchmoderateworldlyAmbitionasbecomesaPhilosopher,andsuchmoderatewantsasrarelysatisfyaDebauchee;otherreadersmaybecontenttobelievewithmethat,whiletheWineOmarcelebratesissimplytheJuiceoftheGrape,hebragg'dmorethanhedrankofit,inverydefianceperhapsofthatSpiritualWinewhichleftitsVotariessunkinHypocrisyorDisgust.

EdwardJ.Fitzgerald

Footnotes:

[Footnote1:SomeofOmar'sRubaiyatwarnusofthedangerofGreatness,theinstabilityofFortune,andwhileadvocatingCharitytoallMen,recommendingustobetoointimatewithnone.AttarmakesNizam-ul-MulkusetheverywordsofhisfriendOmar[Rub.xxviii.],"WhenNizam-ul-MulkwasintheAgony(ofDeath)hesaid,'OhGod!Iampassingawayinthehandofthewind.'"]

[Footnote2:Thoughallthese,likeourSmiths,Archers,Millers,Fletchers,etc.,

maysimplyretaintheSurnameofanhereditarycalling.]

[Footnote3:"PhilosopheMusulmanquiavecuenOdeurdeSaintetedanssaReligion,verslaFindupremieretleCommencementdusecondSiecle,"nopartofwhich,exceptthe"Philosophe,"canapplytoourKhayyam.]

[Footnote4:TheRashnessoftheWords,accordingtoD'Herbelot,consistedinbeingsoopposedtothoseintheKoran:"NoManknowswhereheshalldie."--ThisstoryofOmarremindsmeofanothersonaturally--andwhenoneremembershowwideofhishumblemarkthenoblesailoraimed--sopatheticallytoldbyCaptainCook--notbyDoctorHawkworth--inhisSecondVoyage(i.374).WhenleavingUlietea,"Oreo'slastrequestwasformetoreturn.Whenhesawhecouldnotobtainthatpromise,he

askedthenameofmyMarai(burying-place).Asstrangeaquestionasthiswas,Ihesitatednotamomenttotellhim'Stepney';theparishinwhichIlivewheninLondon.Iwasmadetorepeatitseveraltimesovertilltheycouldpronounceit;andthen'StepneyMarainoToote'wasechoedthroughanhundredmouthsatonce.IafterwardsfoundthesamequestionhadbeenputtoMr.Forsterbyamanonshore;buthegaveadifferent,andindeedmoreproperanswer,bysaying,'Nomanwhousedtheseacouldsaywhereheshouldbeburied.'"]

[Footnote5:"Sincethispaperwaswritten"(addstheReviewerinanote),"we



havemetwithaCopyofaveryrareEdition,printedatCalcuttain1836.Thiscontains438Tetrastichs,withanAppendixcontaining54othersnotfoundinsomeMSS."]

[Footnote6:ProfessorCowell.]

[Footnote7:PerhapswouldhaveeditedthePoemshimselfsomeyearsago.HemaynowaslittleapproveofmyVersionononeside,asofMons.Nicolas'Theoryontheother.]

[Footnote8:AnotetoQuatrain234admitsthat,howeverclearthemysticalmeaningofsuchImagesmustbetoEuropeans,theyarenotquotedwithout"rougissant"evenbylaymeninPersia--"Quantauxtermesdetendressequicommencentcequatrain,commetantd'autresdanscerecueil,noslecteurs,habituesmaintenanta1'etrangetedesexpressionssisouventemployeesparKheyampourrendresespenseessurl'amourdivin,etalasingularitedesimagestroporientales,d'unesensualitequelquefoisrevoltante,n'aurontpasdepeineasepersuaderqu'ils'agitdelaDivinite,bienquecetteconvictionsoitvivementdiscuteeparlesmoullahsmusulmans,etmemeparbeaucoupdelaiques,quirougissentveritablementd'unepareillelicencedeleurcompatriotea1'egarddeschosesspirituelles."]

FirstEdition

I.

Awake!forMorningintheBowlofNightHasflungtheStonethatputstheStarstoFlight:AndLo!theHunteroftheEasthascaughtTheSultan'sTurretinaNooseofLight.

II.

DreamingwhenDawn'sLeftHandwasintheSkyIheardaVoicewithintheTaverncry,"Awake,myLittleones,andfilltheCupBeforeLife'sLiquorinitsCupbedry."

III.

And,astheCockcrew,thosewhostoodbefore

TheTavernshouted--"OpenthentheDoor.Youknowhowlittlewhilewehavetostay,And,oncedeparted,mayreturnnomore."

IV.

NowtheNewYearrevivingoldDesires,ThethoughtfulSoultoSolituderetires,WheretheWHITEHANDOFMOSESontheBough



Putsout,andJesusfromtheGroundsuspires.

V.

IramindeedisgonewithallitsRose,AndJamshyd'sSev'n-ring'dCupwherenooneknows;ButstilltheVineherancientRubyyields,AndstillaGardenbytheWaterblows.

VI.

AndDavid'sLipsarelock't;butindivineHighpipingPelevi,with"Wine!Wine!Wine!RedWine!"--theNightingalecriestotheRoseThatyellowCheekofhersto'incarnadine.

VII.

Come,filltheCup,andintheFireofSpringTheWinterGarmentofRepentancefling:TheBirdofTimehasbutalittleway

Tofly--andLo!theBirdisontheWing.

VIII.

Andlook--athousandBlossomswiththeDayWoke--andathousandscatter'dintoClay:AndthisfirstSummerMonththatbringstheRoseShalltakeJamshydandKaikobadaway.

IX.

ButcomewitholdKhayyam,andleavetheLotOfKaikobadandKaikhosruforgot:LetRustumlayabouthimashewill,OrHatimTaicrySupper--heedthemnot.

X.

WithmealongsomeStripofHerbagestrownThatjustdividesthedesertfromthesown,WherenameofSlaveandSultanscarceisknown,AndpitySultanMahmudonhisThrone.

XI.

HerewithaLoafofBreadbeneaththeBough,AFlaskofWine,aBookofVerse--andThouBesidemesingingintheWilderness--AndWildernessisParadiseenow.

XII.



"HowsweetismortalSovranty!"--thinksome:Others--"HowblesttheParadisetocome!"Ah,taketheCashinhandandwaivetheRest;Oh,thebraveMusicofadistantDrum!

XIII.

LooktotheRosethatblowsaboutus--"Lo,Laughing,"shesays,"intotheWorldIblow:AtoncethesilkenTasselofmyPurseTear,anditsTreasureontheGardenthrow."

XIV.

TheWorldlyHopemensettheirHeartsuponTurnsAshes--oritprospers;andanon,LikeSnowupontheDesert'sdustyFaceLightingalittleHourortwo--isgone.

XV.

AndthosewhohusbandedtheGoldenGrain,AndthosewhoflungittotheWindslikeRain,AliketonosuchaureateEarthareturn'dAs,buriedonce,Menwantdugupagain.

XVI.

Think,inthisbatter'dCaravanseraiWhoseDoorwaysarealternateNightandDay,HowSultanafterSultanwithhisPompAbodehisHourortwo,andwenthisway.

XVII.

TheysaytheLionandtheLizardkeepTheCourtswhereJamshydgloriedanddrankdeep:AndBahram,thatgreatHunter--theWildAssStampso'erhisHead,andheliesfastasleep.

XVIII.

Isometimesthinkthatneverblowssored

TheRoseaswheresomeburiedCaesarbled;ThateveryHyacinththeGardenwearsDroptinitsLapfromsomeoncelovelyHead.

XIX.

AndthisdelightfulHerbwhosetenderGreenFledgestheRiver'sLiponwhichwelean--Ah,leanuponitlightly!forwhoknows



FromwhatoncelovelyLipitspringsunseen!

XX.

Ah!myBeloved,filltheCupthatclearsTO-DAYofpastRegretsandfutureFears-To-morrow?--Why,To-morrowImaybeMyselfwithYesterday'sSev'nThousandYears.

XXI.

Lo!someweloved,theloveliestandthebestThatTimeandFateofalltheirVintageprest,HavedrunktheirCupaRoundortwobefore,AndonebyonecreptsilentlytoRest.

XXII.

Andwe,thatnowmakemerryintheRoomTheyleft,andSummerdressesinnewBloom,OurselvesmustwebeneaththeCouchofEarth

Descend,ourselvestomakeaCouch--forwhom?

XXIII.

Ah,makethemostofwhatweyetmayspend,BeforewetoointotheDustDescend;DustintoDust,andunderDust,tolie,SansWine,sansSong,sansSingerand--sansEnd!

XXIV.

AlikeforthosewhoforTO-DAYprepare,AndthosethatafteraTO-MORROWstare,AMuezzinfromtheTowerofDarknesscries"Fools!yourRewardisneitherHerenorThere."

XXV.

Why,alltheSaintsandSageswhodiscuss'dOftheTwoWorldssolearnedly,arethrustLikefoolishProphetsforth;theirWordstoScornArescatter'd,andtheirMouthsarestoptwithDust.

XXVI.

Oh,comewitholdKhayyam,andleavetheWiseTotalk;onethingiscertain,thatLifeflies;Onethingiscertain,andtheRestisLies;TheFlowerthatoncehasblownforeverdies.

XXVII.



MyselfwhenyoungdideagerlyfrequentDoctorandSaint,andheardgreatArgumentAboutitandabout:butevermoreCameoutbythesameDoorasinIwent.

XXVIII.

WiththemtheSeedofWisdomdidIsow,Andwithmyownhandlabour'dittogrow:AndthiswasalltheHarvestthatIreap'd--"IcamelikeWater,andlikeWindIgo."

XXIX.

IntothisUniverse,andwhynotknowing,Norwhence,likeWaterwilly-nillyflowing:Andoutofit,asWindalongtheWaste,Iknownotwhither,willy-nillyblowing.

XXX.

What,withoutasking,hitherhurriedwhence?And,withoutasking,whitherhurriedhence!AnotherandanotherCuptodrownTheMemoryofthisImpertinence!

XXXI.

UpfromEarth'sCentrethroughtheseventhGateIrose,andontheThroneofSaturnsate,AndmanyKnotsunravel'dbytheRoad;ButnottheKnotofHumanDeathandFate.

XXXII.

TherewasaDoortowhichIfoundnoKey:TherewasaVeilpastwhichIcouldnotsee:SomelittleTalkawhileofMEandTHEEThereseemed--andthennomoreofTHEEandME.

XXXIII.

ThentotherollingHeav'nitselfIcried,

Asking,"WhatLamphadDestinytoguideHerlittleChildrenstumblingintheDark?"And--"Ablindunderstanding!"Heav'nreplied.

XXXIV.

ThentothisearthenBowldidIadjournMyLipthesecretWellofLifetolearn:AndLiptoLipitmurmur'd--"Whileyoulive,



Drink!--foroncedeadyounevershallreturn."

XXXV.

IthinktheVessel,thatwithfugitiveArticulationanswer'd,oncedidlive,Andmerry-make;andthecoldLipIkiss'dHowmanyKissesmightittake--andgive.

XXXVI.

ForintheMarket-place,oneDuskofDay,Iwatch'dthePotterthumpinghiswetClay:AndwithitsallobliteratedTongueItmurmur'd--"Gently,Brother,gently,pray!"

XXXVII.

Ah,filltheCup:--whatbootsittorepeatHowTimeisslippingunderneathourFeet:UnbornTO-MORROWanddeadYESTERDAY,

WhyfretaboutthemifTO-DAYbesweet!

XXXVIII.

OneMomentinAnnihilation'sWaste,Onemoment,oftheWellofLifetotaste--TheStarsaresetting,andtheCaravanStartsforthedawnofNothing--Oh,makehaste!

XXXIX.

Howlong,howlong,ininfinitePursuitOfThisandThatendeavouranddispute?BetterbemerrywiththefruitfulGrapeThansaddenafternone,orbitter,Fruit.

XL.

Youknow,myFriends,howlongsinceinmyHouseForanewMarriageIdidmakeCarouse:DivorcedoldbarrenReasonfrommyBed,AndtooktheDaughteroftheVinetoSpouse.

XLI.

For"IS"and"IS-NOT"thoughwithRuleandLine,And,"UP-AND-DOWN"without,Icoulddefine,IyetinallIonlycaredtoknow,Wasneverdeepinanythingbut--Wine.

XLII.



Andlately,bytheTavernDooragape,CamestealingthroughtheDuskanAngelShape,BearingavesselonhisShoulder;andHebidmetasteofit;and'twas--theGrape!

XLIII.

TheGrapethatcanwithLogicabsoluteTheTwo-and-SeventyjarringSectsconfute:ThesubtleAlchemistthatinaTriceLife'sleadenMetalintoGoldtransmute.

XLIV.

ThemightyMahmud,thevictoriousLord,ThatallthemisbelievingandblackHordeOfFearsandSorrowsthatinfesttheSoulScattersandslayswithhisenchantedSword.

XLV.

ButleavetheWisetowrangle,andwithmeTheQuarreloftheUniverseletbe:And,insomecorneroftheHubbubcoucht,MakeGameofthatwhichmakesasmuchofThee.

XLVI.

Forinandout,above,about,below,'TisnothingbutaMagicShadow-show,Play'dinaBoxwhoseCandleistheSun,RoundwhichwePhantomFigurescomeandgo.

XLVII.

AndiftheWineyoudrink,theLipyoupress,EndintheNothingallThingsendin--Yes-ThenfancywhileThouart,ThouartbutwhatThoushaltbe--Nothing--Thoushaltnotbeless.

XLVIII.

WhiletheRoseblowsalongtheRiverBrink,

WitholdKhayyamtheRubyVintagedrink:AndwhentheAngelwithhisdarkerDraughtDrawsuptothee--takethat,anddonotshrink.

XLVIX.

'TisallaChequer-boardofNightsandDaysWhereDestinywithMenforPiecesplays:Hitherandthithermoves,andmates,andslays,



AndonebyonebackintheClosetlays.

L.

TheBallnoQuestionmakesofAyesandNoes,ButRightorLeftasstrikesthePlayergoes;AndHethattoss'dTheedownintotheField,Heknowsaboutitall--HEknows--HEknows!

LI.

TheMovingFingerwrites;and,havingwrit,Moveson:norallthyPietynorWitShalllureitbacktocancelhalfaLine,NorallthyTearswashoutaWordofit.

LII.

AndthatinvertedBowlwecallTheSky,Whereundercrawlingcoop'tweliveanddie,LiftnotthyhandstoITforhelp--forIt

RollsimpotentlyonasThouorI.

LIII.

WithEarth'sfirstClayTheydidtheLastMan'sknead,AndthenoftheLastHarvestsow'dtheSeed:Yea,thefirstMorningofCreationwroteWhattheLastDawnofReckoningshallread.

LIV.

ItellTheethis--When,startingfromtheGoal,OvertheshouldersoftheflamingFoalOfHeav'nParwinandMushtaritheyflung,Inmypredestin'dPlotofDustandSoul

LV.

TheVinehadstruckaFibre;whichaboutItclingsmyBeing--lettheSufiflout;OfmyBaseMetalmaybefiledaKey,ThatshallunlocktheDoorhehowlswithout.

LVI.

AndthisIknow:whethertheoneTrueLight,KindletoLove,orWrathconsumemequite,OneGlimpseofItwithintheTaverncaughtBetterthanintheTemplelostoutright.

LVII.



OhThouwhodidstwithPitfallandwithGinBesettheRoadIwastowanderin,ThouwiltnotwithPredestinationroundEnmeshme,andimputemyFalltoSin?

LVIII.

OhThou,whoManofbaserEarthdidstmake,AndwhowithEdendidstdevisetheSnake;ForalltheSinwherewiththeFaceofManIsblacken'd,Man'sForgivenessgive--andtake!

KUZA--NAMA.("BookofPots")

LIX.

Listenagain.OneEveningattheCloseOfRamazan,erethebetterMoonarose,InthatoldPotter'sShopIstoodalone

WiththeclayPopulationroundinRows.

LX.

Andstrangetotell,amongthatEarthenLotSomecouldarticulate,whileothersnot:Andsuddenlyonemoreimpatientcried--"WhoisthePotter,pray,andwhothePot?"

LXI.

Thensaidanother--"SurelynotinvainMysubstancefromthecommonEarthwasta'en,ThatHewhosubtlywroughtmeintoShapeShouldstampmebacktocommonEarthagain."

LXII.

Anothersaid--"Why,ne'erapeevishBoyWouldbreaktheBowlfromwhichhedrankinJoy;ShallHethatmadetheVesselinpureLoveAndFansy,inanafterRagedestroy!"

LXIII.

Noneanswer'dthis;butafterSilencespakeAVesselofamoreungainlyMake:"Theysneeratmeforleaningallawry;What?didtheHandthenofthePottershake?"

LXIV.



Saidone--"FolksofasurlyTapstertell,AnddaubhisVisagewiththeSmokeofHell;TheytalkofsomestrictTestingofus--Pish!He'saGoodFellow,and'twillallbewell."

LXV.

Thensaidanotherwithalong-drawnSigh,"MyClaywithlongoblivionisgonedry:But,fillmewiththeoldfamiliarJuice,MethinksImightrecoverby-and-bye!"

LXVI.

So,whiletheVesselsonebyonewerespeaking,OnespiedthelittleCrescentallwereseeking:Andthentheyjogg'deachother,"Brother!Brother!HarktothePorter'sShoulder-knota-creaking!"

*****

LXVII.

Ah,withtheGrapemyfadingLifeprovide,AndwashmyBodywhencethelifehasdied,AndinaWindingsheetofVineleafwrapt,SoburymebysomesweetGardenside.

LXVIII.

Thatev'nmyburiedAshessuchaSnare

OfPerfumeshallflingupintotheAir,AsnotaTrueBelieverpassingbyButshallbeovertakenunaware.

LXIX.

Indeed,theIdolsIhavelovedsolongHavedonemyCreditinMen'sEyemuchwrong:Havedrown'dmyHonourinashallowCup,AndsoldmyReputationforaSong.

LXX.

Indeed,indeed,RepentanceoftbeforeIswore--butwasIsoberwhenIswore?AndthenandthencameSpring,andRose-in-handMythread-barePenitencea-piecestore.

LXXI.



AndmuchasWinehasplay'dtheInfidel,Androbb'dmeofmyRobeofHonour--well,IoftenwonderwhattheVintnersbuyOnehalfsopreciousastheGoodstheysell.

LXXII.

Alas,thatSpringshouldvanishwiththeRose!ThatYouth'ssweet-scentedManuscriptshouldclose!TheNightingalethatintheBranchessang,Ah,whence,andwhitherflownagain,whoknows!

LXXIII.

Ah,Love!couldthouandIwithFateconspireTograspthissorrySchemeofThingsentire,Wouldnotweshatterittobits--andthenRe-moulditnearertotheHeart'sDesire!

LXXIV.

Ah,MoonofmyDelightwhoknow'stnowane,TheMoonofHeav'nisrisingonceagain:HowofthereafterrisingshallshelookThroughthissameGardenafterme--invain!

LXXV.

AndwhenThyselfwithshiningFootshallpassAmongtheGuestsStar-scatter'donTheGrass,AndinThyjoyousErrandreachtheSpotWhereImadeone--turndownanemptyGlass!

TAMAMSHUD.

FifthEdition

I.

WAKE!FortheSun,whoscatter'dintoflightTheStarsbeforehimfromtheFieldofNight,DrivesNightalongwiththemfromHeav'n,andstrikesTheSultan'sTurretwithaShaftofLight.

II.

BeforethephantomofFalsemorningdied,MethoughtaVoicewithintheTaverncried,



"WhenalltheTempleispreparedwithin,"WhynodsthedrowsyWorshiperoutside?"

III.

And,astheCockcrew,thosewhostoodbeforeTheTavernshouted--"OpenthentheDoor!"Youknowhowlittlewhilewehavetostay,And,oncedeparted,mayreturnnomore."

IV.

NowtheNewYearrevivingoldDesires,ThethoughtfulSoultoSolituderetires,WheretheWHITEHANDOFMOSESontheBoughPutsout,andJesusfromtheGroundsuspires.

V.

IramindeedisgonewithallhisRose,AndJamshyd'sSev'n-ring'dCupwherenooneknows;

ButstillaRubykindlesintheVine,AndmanyaGardenbytheWaterblows.

VI.

AndDavid'slipsarelockt;butindivineHigh-pipingPehlevi,with"Wine!Wine!Wine!"RedWine!"--theNightingalecriestotheRoseThatsallowcheekofhersto'incarnadine.

VII.

Come,filltheCup,andinthefireofSpringYourWintergarmentofRepentancefling:TheBirdofTimehasbutalittlewayToflutter--andtheBirdisontheWing.

VIII.

WhetheratNaishapurorBabylon,WhethertheCupwithsweetorbitterrun,TheWineofLifekeepsoozingdropbydrop,TheLeavesofLifekeepfallingonebyone.

IX.

EachMornathousandRosesbrings,yousay:Yes,butwhereleavestheRoseofYesterday?AndthisfirstSummermonththatbringstheRoseShalltakeJamshydandKaikobadaway.



X.

Well,letittakethem!WhathavewetodoWithKaikobadtheGreat,orKaikhosru?LetZalandRustumblusterastheywill,OrHatimcalltoSupper--heednotyou.

XI.

WithmealongthestripofHerbagestrownThatjustdividesthedesertfromthesown,WherenameofSlaveandSultanisforgot--AndPeacetoMahmudonhisgoldenThrone!

XII.

ABookofVersesunderneaththeBough,AJugofWine,aLoafofBread--andThouBesidemesingingintheWilderness--Oh,WildernesswereParadiseenow!

XIII.

SomefortheGloriesofThisWorld;andsomeSighfortheProphet'sParadisetocome;Ah,taketheCash,andlettheCreditgo,NorheedtherumbleofadistantDrum!

XIV.

LooktotheblowingRoseaboutus--"Lo,Laughing,"shesays,"intotheworldIblow,AtoncethesilkentasselofmyPurse

Tear,anditsTreasureontheGardenthrow."

XV.

AndthosewhohusbandedtheGoldengrain,AndthosewhoflungittothewindslikeRain,AliketonosuchaureateEarthareturn'dAs,buriedonce,Menwantdugupagain.

XVI.

TheWorldlyHopemensettheirHeartsuponTurnsAshes--oritprospers;andanon,LikeSnowupontheDesert'sdustyFace,Lightingalittlehourortwo--isgone.

XVII.

Think,inthisbatter'dCaravanseraiWhosePortalsarealternateNightandDay,



HowSultanafterSultanwithhisPompAbodehisdestinedHour,andwenthisway.

XVIII.

TheysaytheLionandtheLizardkeepThecourtswhereJamshydgloriedanddrankdeep:AndBahram,thatgreatHunter--theWildAssStampso'erhisHead,butcannotbreakhisSleep.

XIX.

IsometimesthinkthatneverblowssoredTheRoseaswheresomeburiedCaesarbled;ThateveryHyacinththeGardenwearsDroptinherLapfromsomeoncelovelyHead.

XX.

AndthisrevivingHerbwhosetenderGreenFledgestheRiver-Liponwhichwelean--

Ah,leanuponitlightly!forwhoknowsFromwhatoncelovelyLipitspringsunseen!

XXI.

Ah,myBeloved,filltheCupthatclearsTO-DAYofpastRegretsandfutureFears:To-morrow--Why,To-morrowImaybeMyselfwithYesterday'sSev'nthousandYears.

XXII.

Forsomeweloved,theloveliestandthebestThatfromhisVintagerollingTimehathprest,HavedrunktheirCupaRoundortwobefore,Andonebyonecreptsilentlytorest.

XXIII.

Andwe,thatnowmakemerryintheRoomTheyleft,andSummerdressesinnewbloom,OurselvesmustwebeneaththeCouchofEarthDescend--ourselvestomakeaCouch--forwhom?

XXIV.

Ah,makethemostofwhatweyetmayspend,BeforewetoointotheDustdescend;DustintoDust,andunderDusttolie,SansWine,sansSong,sansSinger,and--sansEnd!



XXV.

AlikeforthosewhoforTO-DAYprepare,AndthosethataftersomeTO-MORROWstare,AMuezzinfromtheTowerofDarknesscries,"Fools!yourRewardisneitherHerenorThere."

XXVI.

Why,alltheSaintsandSageswhodiscuss'dOftheTwoWorldssowisely--theyarethrustLikefoolishProphetsforth;theirWordstoScornArescatter'd,andtheirMouthsarestoptwithDust.

XXVII.

MyselfwhenyoungdideagerlyfrequentDoctorandSaint,andheardgreatargumentAboutitandabout:butevermoreCameoutbythesamedoorwhereinIwent.

XXVIII.

WiththemtheseedofWisdomdidIsow,Andwithmineownhandwroughttomakeitgrow;AndthiswasalltheHarvestthatIreap'd--"IcamelikeWater,andlikeWindIgo."

XXIX.

IntothisUniverse,andWhynotknowingNorWhence,likeWaterwilly-nillyflowing;Andoutofit,asWindalongtheWaste,

IknownotWhither,willy-nillyblowing.

XXX.

What,withoutasking,hitherhurriedWhence?And,withoutasking,Whitherhurriedhence!Oh,manyaCupofthisforbiddenWineMustdrownthememoryofthatinsolence!

XXXI.

UpfromEarth'sCenterthroughtheSeventhGateIrose,andontheThroneofSaturnsate,AndmanyaKnotunravel'dbytheRoad;ButnottheMaster-knotofHumanFate.

XXXII.

TherewastheDoortowhichIfoundnoKey;TherewastheVeilthroughwhichImightnotsee:



SomelittletalkawhileofMEandTHEETherewas--andthennomoreofTHEEandME.

XXXIII.

Earthcouldnotanswer;northeSeasthatmournInflowingPurple,oftheirLordForlorn;NorrollingHeaven,withallhisSignsreveal'dAndhiddenbythesleeveofNightandMorn.

XXXIV.

ThenoftheTHEEINMEwhoworksbehindTheVeil,IliftedupmyhandstofindAlampamidtheDarkness;andIheard,AsfromWithout--"THEMEWITHINTHEEBLIND!"

XXXV.

ThentotheLipofthispoorearthenUrnIlean'd,theSecretofmyLifetolearn:

AndLiptoLipitmurmur'd--"Whileyoulive,"Drink!--for,oncedead,younevershallreturn."

XXXVI.

IthinktheVessel,thatwithfugitiveArticulationanswer'd,oncedidlive,Anddrink;andAh!thepassiveLipIkiss'd,HowmanyKissesmightittake--andgive!

XXXVII.

ForIrememberstoppingbythewayTowatchaPotterthumpinghiswetClay:Andwithitsall-obliteratedTongueItmurmur'd--"Gently,Brother,gently,pray!"

XXXVIII.

AndhasnotsuchaStoryfromofOldDownMan'ssuccessivegenerationsroll'dOfsuchaclodofsaturatedEarthCastbytheMakerintoHumanmold?

XXXIX.

AndnotadropthatfromourCupswethrowForEarthtodrinkof,butmaystealbelowToquenchthefireofAnguishinsomeEyeTherehidden--farbeneath,andlongago.



XL.

AsthentheTulipforhermorningsupOfHeav'nlyVintagefromthesoillooksup,Doyoudevoutlydothelike,tillHeav'nToEarthinvertyou--likeanemptyCup.

XLI.

PerplextnomorewithHumanorDivine,To-morrow'stangletothewindsresign,AndloseyourfingersinthetressesofTheCypress-slenderMinisterofWine.

XLII.

AndiftheWineyoudrink,theLipyoupress,EndinwhatAllbeginsandendsin--Yes;ThinkthenyouareTO-DAYwhatYESTERDAYYouwere--TO-MORROWyoushallnotbeless.

XLIII.

SowhenthatAngelofthedarkerDrinkAtlastshallfindyoubytheriver-brink,And,offeringhisCup,inviteyourSoulForthtoyourLipstoquaff--youshallnotshrink.

XLIV.

Why,iftheSoulcanflingtheDustaside,AndnakedontheAirofHeavenride,Were'tnotaShame--were'tnotaShameforhim

Inthisclaycarcasscrippledtoabide?

XLV.

'TisbutaTentwheretakeshisoneday'srestASultantotherealmofDeathaddrest;TheSultanrises,andthedarkFerrashStrikes,andpreparesitforanotherGuest.

XLVI.

AndfearnotlestExistenceclosingyourAccount,andmine,shouldknowthelikenomore;TheEternalSakifromthatBowlhaspour'dMillionsofBubbleslikeus,andwillpour.

XLVII.

WhenYouandIbehindtheVeilarepast,Oh,butthelong,longwhiletheWorldshalllast,



WhichofourComingandDepartureheedsAstheSea'sselfshouldheedapebble-cast.

XLVIII.

AMoment'sHalt--amomentarytasteOfBEINGfromtheWellamidtheWaste--AndLo!--thephantomCaravanhasreach'dTheNOTHINGitsetoutfrom--Oh,makehaste!

XLIX.

WouldyouthatspangleofExistencespendAboutTHESECRET--quickaboutit,Friend!AHairperhapsdividestheFalsefromTrue--Anduponwhat,prithee,maylifedepend?

L.

AHairperhapsdividestheFalseandTrue;Yes;andasingleAlifweretheclue--

Couldyoubutfindit--totheTreasure-house,AndperadventuretoTHEMASTERtoo;

LI.

WhosesecretPresencethroughCreation'sveinsRunningQuicksilver-likeeludesyourpains;TakingallshapesfromMahtoMahiandTheychangeandperishall--butHeremains;

LII.

Amomentguessed--thenbackbehindtheFoldImmerstofDarknessroundtheDramaroll'dWhich,forthePastimeofEternity,HedothHimselfcontrive,enact,behold.

LIII.

Butifinvain,downonthestubbornfloorOfEarth,anduptoHeav'n'sunopeningDoor,YougazeTO-DAY,whileYouareYou--howthenTO-MORROW,whenYoushallbeYounomore?

LIV.

WastenotyourHour,norinthevainpursuitOfThisandThatendeavoranddispute;BetterbejocundwiththefruitfulGrapeThansaddenafternone,orbitter,Fruit.



LV.

Youknow,myFriends,withwhatabraveCarouseImadeaSecondMarriageinmyhouse;DivorcedoldbarrenReasonfrommyBed,AndtooktheDaughteroftheVinetoSpouse.

LVI.

For"Is"and"Is-not"thoughwithRuleandLineAnd"UP-AND-DOWN"byLogicIdefine,Ofallthatoneshouldcaretofathom,Iwasneverdeepinanythingbut--Wine.

LVII.

Ah,bymyComputations,Peoplesay,ReducetheYeartobetterreckoning?--Nay,'TwasonlystrikingfromtheCalendarUnbornTo-morrowanddeadYesterday.

LVIII.

Andlately,bytheTavernDooragape,CameshiningthroughtheDuskanAngelShapeBearingaVesselonhisShoulder;andHebidmetasteofit;and'twas--theGrape!

LIX.

TheGrapethatcanwithLogicabsoluteTheTwo-and-SeventyjarringSectsconfute:ThesovereignAlchemistthatinatrice

Life'sleadenmetalintoGoldtransmute;

LX.

ThemightyMahmud,Allah-breathingLord,ThatallthemisbelievingandblackHordeOfFearsandSorrowsthatinfesttheSoulScattersbeforehimwithhiswhirlwindSword.

LXI.

Why,bethisJuicethegrowthofGod,whodareBlasphemethetwistedtendrilasaSnare?ABlessing,weshoulduseit,shouldwenot?AndifaCurse--why,then,Whosetitthere?

LXII.

ImustabjuretheBalmofLife,Imust,ScaredbysomeAfter-reckoningta'enontrust,



OrluredwithHopeofsomeDivinerDrink,TofilltheCup--whencrumbledintoDust!

LXIII.

OfthreatsofHellandHopesofParadise!Onethingatleastiscertain--ThisLifeflies;OnethingiscertainandtherestisLies;TheFlowerthatoncehasblownforeverdies.

LXIV.

Strange,isitnot?thatofthemyriadswhoBeforeuspass'dthedoorofDarknessthrough,NotonereturnstotellusoftheRoad,Whichtodiscoverwemusttraveltoo.

LXV.

TheRevelationsofDevoutandLearn'dWhorosebeforeus,andasProphetsburn'd,

AreallbutStories,which,awokefromSleepTheytoldtheircomrades,andtoSleepreturn'd.

LXVI.

IsentmySoulthroughtheInvisible,SomeletterofthatAfter-lifetospell:AndbyandbymySoulreturn'dtome,Andanswer'd"IMyselfamHeav'nandHell:"

LXVII.

Heav'nbuttheVisionoffulfill'dDesire,AndHelltheShadowfromaSoulonfire,CastontheDarknessintowhichOurselves,Solateemergedfrom,shallsosoonexpire.

LXVIII.

WearenootherthanamovingrowOfMagicShadow-shapesthatcomeandgoRoundwiththeSun-illuminedLanternheldInMidnightbytheMasteroftheShow;

LXIX.

ButhelplessPiecesoftheGameHeplaysUponthisChequer-boardofNightsandDays;Hitherandthithermoves,andchecks,andslays,AndonebyonebackintheClosetlays.



LXX.

TheBallnoquestionmakesofAyesandNoes,ButHereorThereasstrikesthePlayergoes;AndHethattoss'dyoudownintotheField,Heknowsaboutitall--HEknows--HEknows!

LXXI.

TheMovingFingerwrites;and,havingwrit,Moveson:norallyourPietynorWitShalllureitbacktocancelhalfaLine,NorallyourTearswashoutaWordofit.

LXXII.

AndthatinvertedBowltheycalltheSky,Whereundercrawlingcoop'dweliveanddie,LiftnotyourhandstoItforhelp--forItAsimpotentlymovesasyouorI.

LXXIII.

WithEarth'sfirstClayTheydidtheLastManknead,AndthereoftheLastHarvestsow'dtheSeed:AndthefirstMorningofCreationwroteWhattheLastDawnofReckoningshallread.

LXXIV.

YESTERDAYThisDay'sMadnessdidprepare;TO-MORROW'sSilence,Triumph,orDespair:Drink!foryounotknowwhenceyoucame,norwhy:

Drink!foryouknownotwhyyougo,norwhere.

LXXV.

Itellyouthis--When,startedfromtheGoal,OvertheflamingshouldersoftheFoalOfHeav'nParwinandMushtaritheyflung,InmypredestinedPlotofDustandSoul.

LXXVI.

TheVinehadstruckafiber:whichaboutItclingsmyBeing--lettheDervishflout;OfmyBasemetalmaybefiledaKeyThatshallunlocktheDoorhehowlswithout.

LXXVII.

AndthisIknow:whethertheoneTrueLightKindletoLove,orWrathconsumemequite,



OneFlashofItwithintheTaverncaughtBetterthanintheTemplelostoutright.

LXXVIII.

What!outofsenselessNothingtoprovokeAconsciousSomethingtoresenttheyokeOfunpermittedPleasure,underpainOfEverlastingPenalties,ifbroke!

LXXIX.

What!fromhishelplessCreatureberepaidPureGoldforwhathelenthimdross-allay'd--SueforaDebtheneverdidcontract,Andcannotanswer--Ohthesorrytrade!

LXXX.

OhThou,whodidstwithpitfallandwithginBesettheRoadIwastowanderin,

ThouwiltnotwithPredestinedEvilroundEnmesh,andthenimputemyFalltoSin!

LXXXI.

OhThou,whoManofbaserEarthdidstmake,Andev'nwithParadisedevisetheSnake:ForalltheSinwherewiththeFaceofManIsblacken'd--Man'sforgivenessgive--andtake!

*****

LXXXII.

AsundercoverofdepartingDaySlunkhunger-strickenRamazanaway,OncemorewithinthePotter'shousealoneIstood,surroundedbytheShapesofClay.

LXXXIII.

ShapesofallSortsandSizes,greatandsmall,

Thatstoodalongthefloorandbythewall;AndsomeloquaciousVesselswere;andsomeListen'dperhaps,butnevertalk'datall.

LXXXIV.

Saidoneamongthem--"SurelynotinvainMysubstanceofthecommonEarthwasta'enAndtothisFiguremolded,tobebroke,



OrtrampledbacktoshapelessEarthagain."

LXXXV.

ThensaidaSecond--"Ne'erapeevishBoyWouldbreaktheBowlfromwhichhedrankinjoy;AndHethatwithhishandtheVesselmadeWillsurelynotinafterWrathdestroy."

LXXXVI.

AfteramomentarysilencespakeSomeVesselofamoreungainlyMake;"Theysneeratmeforleaningallawry:What!didtheHandthenofthePottershake?"

LXXXVII.

WhereatsomeoneoftheloquaciousLot--IthinkaSufipipkin--waxinghot--"AllthisofPotandPotter--Tellmethen,

WhoisthePotter,pray,andwhothePot?"

LXXXVIII.

"Why,"saidanother,"SometherearewhotellOfonewhothreatenshewilltosstoHellThelucklessPotshemarr'dinmaking--Pish!He'saGoodFellow,and'twillallbewell."

LXXXIX.

"Well,"murmuredone,"Letwhosomakeorbuy,MyClaywithlongOblivionisgonedry:ButfillmewiththeoldfamiliarJuice,MethinksImightrecoverbyandby."

XC.

SowhiletheVesselsonebyonewerespeaking,ThelittleMoonlook'dinthatallwereseeking:Andthentheyjogg'deachother,"Brother!Brother!NowforthePorter'sshoulders'knota-creaking!"

*****

XCI.

Ah,withtheGrapemyfadinglifeprovide,AndwashtheBodywhencetheLifehasdied,Andlayme,shroudedinthelivingLeaf,BysomenotunfrequentedGarden-side.



XCII.

Thatev'nburiedAshessuchasnareOfVintageshallflingupintotheAirAsnotaTrue-believerpassingbyButshallbeovertakenunaware.

XCIII.

IndeedtheIdolsIhavelovedsolongHavedonemycreditinthisWorldmuchwrong:Havedrown'dmyGloryinashallowCup,AndsoldmyreputationforaSong.

XCIV.

Indeed,indeed,RepentanceoftbeforeIswore--butwasIsoberwhenIswore?AndthenandthencameSpring,andRose-in-handMythread-barePenitenceapiecestore.

XCV.

AndmuchasWinehasplay'dtheInfidel,Androbb'dmeofmyRobeofHonor--Well,IwonderoftenwhattheVintnersbuyOnehalfsopreciousasthestufftheysell.

XCVI.

YetAh,thatSpringshouldvanishwiththeRose!

ThatYouth'ssweet-scentedmanuscriptshouldclose!TheNightingalethatinthebranchessang,Ahwhence,andwhitherflownagain,whoknows!

XCVII.

WouldbuttheDesertoftheFountainyieldOneglimpse--ifdimly,yetindeed,reveal'd,TowhichthefaintingTravelermightspring,Asspringsthetrampledherbageofthefield!

XCVIII.

WouldbutsomewingedAngeleretoolateArresttheyetunfoldedRollofFate,AndmakethesternRecorderotherwiseEnregister,orquiteobliterate!

XCIX.



AhLove!couldyouandIwithHimconspireTograspthissorrySchemeofThingsentire,Wouldnotweshatterittobits--andthenRe-molditnearertotheHeart'sDesire!

C.

YonrisingMoonthatlooksforusagain--Howofthereafterwillshewaxandwane;HowofthereafterrisinglookforusThroughthissameGarden--andforoneinvain!

CI.

Andwhenlikeher,ohSaki,youshallpassAmongtheGuestsStar-scatter'dontheGrass,AndinyourjoyouserrandreachthespotWhereImadeOne--turndownanemptyGlass!

TAMAM.

Notes:

[Thereferencesare,exceptinthefirstnoteonly,tothestanzasoftheFifthedition.]

(StanzaI.)FlingingaStoneintotheCupwasthesignalfor"ToHorse!"intheDesert.

(II.)The"FalseDawn";SubhiKazib,atransientLightontheHorizonaboutanhourbeforetheSubhisadikorTrueDawn;awell-knownPhenomenonintheEast.

(IV.)NewYear.BeginningwiththeVernalEquinox,itmustberemembered;and(howsoevertheoldSolarYearispracticallysupersededbytheclumsyLunarYearthatdatesfromtheMohammedanHijra)stillcommemoratedbyaFestivalthatissaidtohavebeenappointedbytheveryJamshydwhomOmarsooftentalksof,andwhoseyearlyCalendarhehelpedtorectify.

"ThesuddenapproachandrapidadvanceoftheSpring,"saysMr.

Binning,"areverystriking.BeforetheSnowiswellofftheGround,theTreesburstintoBlossom,andtheFlowersstartfromtheSoil.AtNawRooz(theirNewYear'sDay)theSnowwaslyinginpatchesontheHillsandintheshadedVallies,whiletheFruit-treesintheGardenwerebuddingbeautifully,andgreenPlantsandFlowersspringinguponthePlainsoneveryside--

'AndonoldHyems'ChinandicyCrownAnodorousChapletofsweetSummerbudsIs,asinmockery,set--'--



AmongthePlantsnewlyappear'dIrecognizedsomeAcquaintancesIhadnotseenformanyaYear:amongthese,twovarietiesoftheThistle;acoarsespeciesoftheDaisy,liketheHorse-gowan;redandwhiteclover;theDock;theblueCornflower;andthatvulgarHerbtheDandelionrearingitsyellowcrestontheBanksoftheWater-courses."TheNightingalewasnotyetheard,fortheRosewasnotyetblown:butanalmostidenticalBlackbirdandWoodpeckerhelpedtomakeupsomethingofaNorth-countrySpring.

"TheWhiteHandofMoses."Exodusiv.6;whereMosesdrawsforthhisHand--not,accordingtothePersians,"leprousasSnow,"butwhite,asourMay-blossominSpringperhaps.AccordingtothemalsotheHealingPowerofJesusresidedinhisBreath.

(V.)Iram,plantedbyKingShaddad,andnowsunksomewhereintheSandsofArabia.Jamshyd'sSeven-ring'dCupwastypicalofthe7Heavens,7Planets,7Seas,&c.,andwasaDiviningCup.

(VI.)Pehlevi,theoldHeroicSanskritofPersia.HafizalsospeaksoftheNightingale'sPehlevi,whichdidnotchangewiththePeople's.

IamnotsureifthefourthlinereferstotheRedRoselookingsickly,ortotheYellowRosethatoughttobeRed;Red,White,and

YellowRosesallcommoninPersia.IthinkthatSoutheyinhisCommon-PlaceBook,quotesfromsomeSpanishauthorabouttheRosebeingWhitetill10o'clock;"RosaPerfecta"at2;and"perfectaincarnada"at5.

(X.)Rustum,the"Hercules"ofPersia,andZalhisFather,whoseexploitsareamongthemostcelebratedintheShahnama.HatimTai,awell-knowntypeofOrientalGenerosity.

(XIII.)ADrum--beatenoutsideaPalace.

(XIV.)Thatis,theRose'sGoldenCentre.

(XVIII.)Persepolis:call'dalsoTakht-i-Jam-shyd--THETHRONEOF

JAMSHYD,"KingSplendid,"ofthemythicalPeshdadianDynasty,andsupposed(accordingtotheShah-nama)tohavebeenfoundedandbuiltbyhim.OthersreferittotheWorkoftheGenieKing,JanIbnJan--whoalsobuiltthePyramids--beforethetimeofAdam.

BAHRAMGUR.--BahramoftheWildAss--aSassanianSovereign--hadalsohisSevenCastles(liketheKingofBohemia!)eachofadifferentColour:eachwithaRoyalMistresswithin;eachofwhomtellshimaStory,astoldinoneofthemostfamousPoemsofPersia,writtenbyAmirKhusraw:alltheseSevensalsofiguring(accordingtoEasternMysticism)theSevenHeavens;andperhapstheBookitselfthatEighth,intowhichthemysticalSeventranscend,andwithinwhichtheyrevolve.TheRuinsofThreeofthoseTowersareyetshownbythe

Peasantry;asalsotheSwampinwhichBahramsunk,liketheMasterofRavenswood,whilepursuinghisGur.

ThePalacethattoHeav'nhispillarsthrew,AndKingstheforeheadonhisthresholddrew--IsawthesolitaryRingdovethere,And"Coo,coo,coo,"shecried;and"Coo,coo,coo."

[IncludedinNicolas'seditionasNo.350oftheRubaiyat,andalsoinMr.Whinfield'stranslation.]



ThisQuatrainMr.Binningfound,amongseveralofHafizandothers,inscribedbysomestrayhandamongtheruinsofPersepolis.TheRingdove'sancientPehleviCoo,Coo,Coo,signifiesalsoinPersian"Where?Where?Where?"InAttar's"Bird-parliament"sheisreprovedbytheLeaderoftheBirdsforsittingstill,andforeverharpingonthatonenoteoflamentationforherlostYusuf.

AproposofOmar'sRedRosesinStanzaxix,IamremindedofanoldEnglishSuperstition,thatourAnemonePulsatilla,orpurple"PasqueFlower,"(whichgrowsplentifullyabouttheFleamDyke,nearCambridge,)growsonlywhereDanishBloodhasbeenspilt.

(XXI.)AthousandyearstoeachPlanet.

(XXXI.)Saturn,LordoftheSeventhHeaven.

(XXXII.)ME-AND-THEE:somedividualExistenceorPersonalitydistinctfromtheWhole.

(XXXVII.)OneofthePersianPoets--Attar,Ithink--hasaprettystoryaboutthis.AthirstyTravellerdipshishandintoaSpringofWatertodrinkfrom.By-and-bycomesanotherwhodrawsupanddrinksfromanearthenbowl,andthendeparts,leavinghisBowlbehindhim.The

firstTravellertakesitupforanotherdraught;butissurprisedtofindthatthesameWaterwhichhadtastedsweetfromhisownhandtastesbitterfromtheearthenBowl.ButaVoice--fromHeaven,Ithink--tellshimtheclayfromwhichtheBowlismadewasonceMan;and,intowhatevershaperenew'd,canneverlosethebitterflavourofMortality.

(XXXIX.)ThecustomofthrowingalittleWineonthegroundbeforedrinkingstillcontinuesinPersia,andperhapsgenerallyintheEast.Mons.Nicolasconsidersit"unsignedeliberalite,etenmemetempsunavertissementquelebuveurdoitvidersacoupejusqu'aladernieregoutte."IsitnotmorelikelyanancientSuperstition;aLibationtopropitiateEarth,ormakeheranAccompliceintheillicitRevel?Or,

perhaps,todiverttheJealousEyebysomesacrificeofsuperfluity,aswiththeAncientsoftheWest?WithOmarweseesomethingmoreissignified;thepreciousLiquorisnotlost,butsinksintothegroundtorefreshthedustofsomepoorWine-worshipperforegone.

ThusHafiz,copyingOmarinsomanyways:"WhenthoudrinkestWinepouradraughtontheground.WhereforefeartheSinwhichbringstoanotherGain?"

(XLIII.)AccordingtoonebeautifulOrientalLegend,AzraelaccomplisheshismissionbyholdingtothenostrilanApplefromtheTreeofLife.

This,andthetwofollowingStanzaswouldhavebeenwithdrawn,assomewhatdetrop,fromtheText,butforadvicewhichIleastliketodisregard.

(LI.)FromMahtoMahi;fromFishtoMoon.

(LVI.)AJest,ofcourse,athisStudies.AcuriousmathematicalQuatrainofOmar'shasbeenpointedouttome;themorecuriousbecausealmostexactlyparallel'dbysomeVersesofDoctorDonne's,thatarequotedinIzaakWalton'sLives!HereisOmar:"YouandIare



theimageofapairofcompasses;thoughwehavetwoheads(sc.ourfeet)wehaveonebody;whenwehavefixedthecentreforourcircle,webringourheads(sc.feet)togetherattheend."Dr.Donne:

Ifwebetwo,wetwoaresoAsstifftwin-compassesaretwo;ThySoul,thefixtfoot,makesnoshowTomove,butdoesiftheotherdo.

Andthoughthineinthecentresit,Yetwhenmyotherfardoesroam,Thineleansandhearkensafterit,Androwserectasminecomeshome.

Suchthoumustbetome,whomustLiketheotherfootobliquelyrun;Thyfirmnessmakesmycirclejust,AndmetoendwhereIbegun.

(LIX.)TheSeventy-twoReligionssupposedtodividetheWorld,includingIslamism,assomethink:butothersnot.

(LX.)AlludingtoSultanMahmud'sConquestofIndiaanditsdarkpeople.

(LXVIII.)Fanusikhiyal,aMagic-lanthornstillusedinIndia;thecylindricalInteriorbeingpaintedwithvariousFigures,andsolightlypoisedandventilatedastorevolveroundthelightedCandlewithin.

(LXX.)AverymysteriousLineintheOriginal:

OdanadOdanadOdanadO--

breakingoffsomethinglikeourWood-pigeon'sNote,whichsheissaidtotakeupjustwheresheleftoff.

(LXXV.)ParwinandMushtari--ThePleiadsandJupiter.

(LXXXVII.)ThisRelationofPotandPottertoManandhisMakerfiguresfarandwideintheLiteratureoftheWorld,fromthetimeoftheHebrewProphetstothepresent;whenitmayfinallytakethenameof"Pottheism,"bywhichMr.CarlyleridiculedSterling's"Pantheism."MySheikh,whoseknowledgeflowsinfromallquarters,writestome--

"AproposofoldOmar'sPots,didIevertellyouthesentenceIfoundin'BishopPearsonontheCreed'?'ThusarewewhollyatthedisposalofHiswill,andourpresentandfutureconditionframedandorderedbyHisfree,butwiseandjust,decrees.Hathnotthepotterpower

overtheclay,ofthesamelumptomakeonevesseluntohonour,andanotheruntodishonour?(Rom.ix.21.)Andcanthatearth-artificerhaveafreerpoweroverhisbrotherpotsherd(bothbeingmadeofthesamemetal),thanGodhathoverhim,who,bythestrangefecundityofHisomnipotentpower,firstmadetheclayoutofnothing,andthenhimoutofthat?'"

Andagain--fromaverydifferentquarter--"IhadtorefertheotherdaytoAristophanes,andcamebychanceonacuriousSpeaking-potstoryintheVespae,whichIhadquiteforgotten.



[Greektextdeletedfrometext.]

"ThePotcallsabystandertobeawitnesstohisbadtreatment.Thewomansays,'If,byProserpine,insteadofallthis'testifying'(comp.Cuddieandhismotherin'OldMortality!')youwouldbuyyourselfarivet,itwouldshowmoresenseinyou!'TheScholiastexplainsechinusas[Greekphrasedeletedfrometext]."

Onemoreillustrationfortheoddity'ssakefromthe"AutobiographyofaCornishRector,"bythelateJamesHamleyTregenna.1871.

"TherewasoneoddFellowinourCompany--hewassolikeaFigureinthe'Pilgrim'sProgress'thatRichardalwayscalledhimthe'ALLEGORY,'withalongwhitebeard--arareAppendageinthosedays--andaFacethecolourofwhichseemedtohavebeenbakedin,liketheFacesoneusedtoseeonEarthenwareJugs.InourCountry-dialectEarthenwareiscalled'Clome';sotheBoysoftheVillageusedtoshoutoutafterhim--'GobacktothePotter,OldClomeface,andgetbakedoveragain.'Forthe'Allegory,'thoughshrewdenoughinmostthings,hadthereputationofbeing'saift-baked,'i.e.,ofweakintellect."

(XC.)AttheCloseoftheFastingMonth,Ramazan(whichmakesthe

Mussulmanunhealthyandunamiable),thefirstGlimpseoftheNewMoon(whorulestheirdivisionoftheYear)islookedforwiththeutmostAnxiety,andhailedwithAcclamation.ThenitisthatthePorter'sKnotmaybeheard--towardtheCellar.OmarhaselsewhereaprettyQuatrainaboutthesameMoon--

"BeofGoodCheer--thesullenMonthwilldie,AndayoungMoonrequiteusbyandby:LookhowtheOldonemeagre,bent,andwanWithAgeandFast,isfaintingfromtheSky!"

THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM

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