You’re fast on your feet, server, and dawn is breaking. Let’s have another song, and bring more wine! For summer’s new warmth has melted memories of last December, and of the hundred thousand famous kings and leaders who have been laid beneath the hard, cold earth these past few months. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar […]
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Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyam (42) “No hand would set out to break them”
As for the parts of a wineglass that have been joined together– no hand would set out to break them apart. But as for the shapely hands and feet of a temptress– whose grace joins them together? […]
Omar Khayyam (383) “it is a shame for anyone to be well-known for righteousness”
It is a shame for anyone to be well-known for righteousness. It is a great disgrace to feel distress at the injustice of the turning of the wheels of fate. To get drunk on the nose of a fine vintage born of luscious grapes is better than to be renowned to be a self-denying prude. Translated by […]
Omar Khayyam (336)
I know the outside of being and nothingness, and I know the inside of the high and the low. Even so, I should be ashamed of all my knowledge if I knew of any higher status than drunkenness. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 336
Omar Khayyam (472) “Wine, you are my insane sweetheart”
Wine, you are my insane sweetheart; I hit the bottle and have no fear of disgrace. Drink […]
Omar Khayyam (284) “God is merciful: Here, have some wine”
I staggered, drunk, outside a bar last night and saw a tipsy older man emerge, a bottle slung across his shoulder; and I said to him, “At your age, aren’t you ashamed before the Lord Almighty?” He laughed, “God is merciful: Here, have some wine!” Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 284
Omar Khayyam (283) “Last night I wandered into a dark pottery workshop”
Last night I wandered into a dark pottery workshop and saw about two thousand pots lined up in silence. But then suddenly a vase cried out, inquiring, ‘Where in the world are the potter and the customers and salespeople?” Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 283
Omar Khayyam (337) “I venerate the finest vintage so as to avoid self-worship”
I sip at wine, but never to get drunk, and I assail no one, save for my glass. I venerate the finest vintage so as to avoid self-worship of your sort. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 337
Omar Khayyam (273) “Do good, and cast it upon the waters”
My sweetheart — may she live as long as my heartbreak — today began her kindnesses anew. She locked eyes with me for an instant, then was gone– […]