Omar Khayyam

Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate

rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate;

And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road;

But not the Master-knot of Human Fate.

Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit

Of This and That endeavour and dispute;

Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape

Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

Ah, fill the Cup: — what boots it to repeat

How Time is slipping underneath our Feet:

Unborn and dead ,

Why fret about them if be sweet!

Into this Universe, and why not knowing,

Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:

And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,

I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.

For in the Market-place, one Dusk of Day,

I watch'd the Potter thumping his wet Clay:

And with its all obliterated Tongue

It murmur'd—"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"

Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside,

And naked on the Air of Heaven ride,

Were't not a Shame — were't not a Shame for him

In this clay carcase crippled to abide?

Oh, threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise!

One thing at least is certain — This Life flies;

One thing is certain and the rest is Lies;

The Flower that once has blown for ever dies.

You know, my Friends, with what a brave Carouse

I made a Second Marriage in my house;

Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed

And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

Myself when young did eagerly frequent

Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument

About it and about: but evermore

Came out by the same door as in I went.

Then to the lip of this poor earthen Urn

I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn:

And Lip to Lip it murmur'd — "While you live

Drink! — for, once dead, you never shall return."

Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare;

To-morrow's Silence, Triumph, or Despair:

Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why:

Drink! for you know not why you go, nor where.

Ah, but my Computations, People say,

Reduced the Year to better reckoning? — Nay

'Twas only striking from the Calendar

Unborn To-morrow, and dead Yesterday.