Six Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

                                     Six Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

     1

Wake! For the Sun, who scattered into flight

The Stars before him from the Field of Night,

    Drives Night along with them from Heav'n and strikes

The Sultán's Turret with a Shaft of Light.

   2

Before the phantom of False morning died,

Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried,

    "When all the Temple is prepared within,

Why nods the drowsy Worshiper outside?

    3

And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before

The Tavern shouted--"Open, then, the Door!

    You know how little while we have to stay,

And, once departed, may return no more.

   4

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,

A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou

    Beside me singing in the Wilderness

Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!

   5

Some for the Glories of This World; and some

Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come;

    Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go,

Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum!

    6

Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo,

Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow,

    At once the silken tassel of my Purse

Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw.

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      Edward FitzGerald's wonderfully translation