Omar Khayyam (134) “When life has been drunk to the dregs”

Juan Cole 05/31/2012

When life has been drunk to the dregs,
whether at home or abroad;
and its full measure used up,
whether it’s been bitter or sweet;
have some wine,
since after you and me,
the moon will go on
waxing and waning
from crescent to full.

Translated by Juan Cole
from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 134

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History at the University of Michigan He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page