The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar KhayyamOmar Khayyam
ReligionSufism
The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyam
FitzGerald, Edward, 1809-1883; Sufi poetry
200. C. L. N. A. I. J. False dawn, the faint light before sunrise.
201.
Now is the time earth decks her greenest bowers,
And trees, like Musa's hand, grow white with flowers!
As 'twere at 'Isa's breath the plants revive,
While clouds brim o'er, like tearful eyes, with showers.
201. C. L. N. A. B. I. Musa and 'Isa are often written without the _alif
i maksur_. Bl., Prosody 3.
202.
O burden not thyself with drudgery,
Lord of white silver and red gold to be;
But feast with friends, ere this warm breath of thine
Be chilled in death, and earthworms feast on thee.
202. N.
203.
The showers of grape-juice, which cupbearers pour,
Quench fires of grief in many a sad heart's core
Praise be to Allah, who hath sent this balm
To heal sore hearts, and spirits' health restore!
203. C. L. N. A. B. I. In line 1 some MSS. reads _bakhak_. _Didayi
garm_, «eyes of anguish.» Scan _garm atishi_ (_Alif i wasl_).
204.
Can alien Pharisees Thy kindness tell,
Like us, Thy intimates, who nigh Thee dwell?
Thou say'st, «All sinners will I burn with fire.»
Say that to strangers, we know Thee too well.
204. N.
205.
O comrades dear, when hither ye repair
In times to come, communion sweet to share,
While the cupbearer pours your old Magh wine,
Call poor Khayyam to mind, and breathe a prayer.
205. L. N. B. _Mayi_. The second _ya_ is the _ya i batni_.
206.
For me heaven's sphere no music ever made,
Nor yet with soothing voice my fears allayed;
If e'er I found brief respite from my woes,
Back to woe's thrall I was at once betrayed.
206. C. L. N. A. I.
207.
Sooner with half a loaf contented be,
And water from a broken crock, like me,
Than lord it over one poor fellow-man,
Or to another bow the vassal knee.
207. C. L. N. A. I. In line 2 note _izafat_ dropped after silent _he_,
_Kam az Khude_, «one less than yourself.» Vullers, p. 254.
208.
While Moon and Venus in the sky shall dwell,
None shall see aught red grape-juice to excel:
O foolish publicans, what can you buy
One half so precious as the goods you sell?
208. C. L. N. A. B. I.
209.
They who by genius, and by power of brain,
The rank of man's enlighteners attain,
Not even they emerge from this dark night,
But tell their dreams, and fall asleep again.
209. C. L. N. A. I. J. _Fisanaye, ya i tankir_.
210.
At dawn, when dews bedeck the tulip's face,
And violets their heavy heads abase,
I love to see the roses' folded buds,
With petals closed against the wind's disgrace.
210. L. B.
211.
Like as the skies rain down sweet jessamine,
And sprinkle all the meads with eglantine,
Right so, from out this jug of violet hue,
I pour in lily cups this rosy wine.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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