Omar Khayyám

Quotes

1. Well, let it take them! What have we to do

   With Kaikobad the Great, or Kaikhosru?

   Let Zal and Rustum bluster as they will,

   Or Hatim call to Supper — heed not you.

2. 

   Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,

   A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse — and Thou

   Beside me singing in the Wilderness —

   And Wilderness is Paradise enow.

3. 

   Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd

   Of the Two Worlds so wisely — they are thrust.

4. 

   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 Worshipper outside?"

5. 

   And this reviving Herb whose tender Green

   Fledges the River-Lip on which we lean —

   Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows

   From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen!

6. 

   Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring

   The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:

   The Bird of Time has but a little way

   To fly — and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.

7. 

   Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep.

8. 

   Oh, come with old Khayyam, and leave the Wise

   To talk; one thing is certain, that Life flies;

   One thing is certain, and the Rest is Lies;

   The Flower that once has blown for ever dies.

9. 

   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!

10. 

    Irám indeed is gone with all its Rose,

    And Jamshýd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows;

    But still the Vine her ancient Ruby yields,

    And still a Garden by the Water blows.

11. 

    Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,

    Before we too into the Dust Descend;

    Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,

    Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer and — sans End!

12. 

    Now the New Year reviving old Desires,

    The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires,

    Where the on the Bough

    Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.