Omar Khayyám

Quotes

1. As under cover of departing Day

   Slunk hunger-stricken Ramazan away,

   Once more within the Potter's house alone

   I stood, surrounded by the Shapes of Clay.

2. 

   Said one — "Folks of a surly Tapster tell,

   "And daub his Visage with the Smoke of Hell;

   "They talk of some strict Testing of us—Pish!

   "He's a Good Fellow, and 'twill all be well."

3. 

   Oh, Thou who Man of baser Earth didst make,

   And ev'n with Paradise devise the Snake:

   For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man

   Is blacken'd — Man's forgiveness give — and take!

4. 

   Ah, Love! could thou and I with Fate conspire

   To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire,

   Would not we shatter it to bits — and then

   Re-mould it nearer to the Heart's Desire!

5. 

   Yet Ah, that Spring should vanish with the Rose!

6. 

   That ev'n my buried Ashes such a snare

   Of Vintage shall fling up into the Air

   As not a True-believer passing by

   But shall be overtaken unaware.

7. 

   And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel,

   And robb'd me of my Robe of Honour — well,

   I often wonder what the Vintners buy

   One half so precious as the Goods they sell.

8. 

   Oh Thou, who Man of baser Earth didst make,

   And who with Eden didst devise the Snake;

   For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man

   Is blacken'd, Man's Forgiveness give — and take!

9. 

   The Koran! well, come put me to the test—

   Lovely old book in hideous error drest—

   Believe me, I can quote the Koran too,

   The unbeliever knows his Koran best. And do you think that unto such as you,

   A maggot-minded, starved, fanatic crew,

   God gave the secret, and denied it me?—

   Well, well, what matters it! believe that too.

   p. 47

10. 

    And strange to tell, among that Earthen Lot

    Some could articulate, while others not:

    And suddenly one more impatient cried —

    "Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?"

11. 

    Tamám Shud. / It is finished.

12. 

    Ah, Moon of my Delight who know'st no wane,

    The Moon of Heav'n is rising once again:

    How oft hereafter rising shall she look

    Through this same Garden after me — in vain!