poems

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (Translation by Fitzgerald)

Fifth Edition (verses 1 to VII)

I.

WAKE! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight

The Stars before him from the Field of Night,

Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes

The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light.

II.

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 Worshiper outside?"

III.

And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before

The Tavern shouted—"Open then the Door!

"You know how little while we have to stay,

And, once departed, may return no more."

IV.

Now the New Year reviving old Desires,

The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires,

Where the WHITE HAND OF MOSES on the Bough

Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.

V.

Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose,

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

But still a Ruby kindles in the Vine,

And many a Garden by the Water blows.

VI.

And David's lips are lockt; but in divine

High-piping Pehlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine!

"Red Wine!"—the Nightingale cries to the Rose

That sallow cheek of hers to' incarnadine.

VII.

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

Your Winter garment of Repentance fling:

The Bird of Time has but a little way

To flutter—and the Bird is on the Wing.