Culture

At first I looked for the pen of fate,  and the tablet on which it wrote, and heaven and hell in the skies above. Then my teacher guided me, saying that all four lie within you. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 114

I have no idea if  the one who created me placed me among  the good in paradise or the hideous in hell. A cup, a sweetheart, and a lute are cash enough for me and credit toward heaven  for you. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 94

I am a sinner, where is your acceptance? My heart is dark, where is your light  and clarity? If you grant me paradise because of my obedience, that is just a salary. Where is your grace and charity? Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 93

For a whole lifetime, I’ve made praising wine a constant exercise. I always have its  instruments around me. Prude, if reason  is your teacher here, cheer up– for your teacher  is my student. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 89

The Kamkaran group performs Khayyam’s poetry in classical style in Tehran:

Since we have to go, what is it to exist? What is it to chase  impossible ambitions? They’ll never pass by  anyplace with a  sense of well-being. What is it to be deprived both of travel and of rest? Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 88

Fifth and final part of “The Genius of Omar Khayyam” — the continuing appeal of his poetry and philosophy, and the question of how much of Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat translation is Fitzgerald and how much Khayyam: