The Sufistic Quatrains Of Omar Khayyam Part 25

_Ref._: C. 195, L. 349, B. 345, S.P. 163, P. 287, B. ii. 206, T.

122.--W. 181, N. 163, V. 349.

LXV.

If but the Vine and Love-abjuring Band Are in the Prophet's Paradise to stand, Alack, I doubt the Prophet's Paradise Were empty as the hollow of one's Hand.

This quatrain is inspired by O. 127 and by C. 60.

To drink wine and consort with a company of the beautiful Is better than practising the hypocrisy of the zealot; If the lover and the drunkard are doomed to h.e.l.l, Then no one will see the face of heaven.

_Ref._: O. 127, L. 608, B. 601, S.P. 339, P. 330, B. ii. 453, P. v.

151.--W. 381, N. 342, V. 655.

FitzGerald was evidently reminded of this by N. 64 which is C. 60.

They say that drunkards will go to h.e.l.l, It is a repugnant creed, the heart cannot believe it; If drunken lovers are doomed to h.e.l.l, To-morrow heaven will be bare like the palm of one's hand.

_Ref._: C. 60, L. 158, B. 155, S.P. 64, T. 308, P. v. 29.--W. 67, N 64, V. 156.

LXXVII.

For let Philosopher and Doctor preach Of what they will, and what they will not,--each Is but one Link in an eternal Chain That none can slip, or break, or over-reach.

For this quatrain I can find neither authority nor inspiration.

Lx.x.xVI.

Nay, but, for terror of his wrathful Face, I swear I will not call Injustice Grace; Not one Good Fellow of the Tavern but Would kick so poor a Coward from the place.

I think the inspiration for this must have been C. 8.

No man is he whom his fellow men spurn, And (at the same time) for fear of his malice number among the good; If a drunkard shows reluctance in generosity, All his fellow drunkards hold him to be a mean fellow.

_Ref._: C. 8, L. 3, B. ii. 15, T. 9.--V. 416.

XC.

And once again there gather'd a scarce heard Whisper among them; as it were, the stirr'd Ashes of some all but extinguisht Tongue, Which mine ear kindled into living Word.

This was a fourth quatrain evolved out of O. 103. _Vide_ quatrains Nos.

82, 83, and 87 _ante_.

XCIX.

Whither resorting from the vernal Heat Shall Old Acquaintance Old Acquaintance greet, Under the Branch that leans above the Wall To shed his Blossom over head and feet.

This quatrain, interpolated after No. 91 of the fourth edition (= No. 98 of the second edition), is an elaboration founded upon the story told by Nizam ul-Mulk and recorded by FitzGerald in his Introduction.

CVII.

Better, oh better, cancel from the Scroll Of Universe one luckless Human Soul, Than drop by drop enlarge the Flood that rolls Hoa.r.s.er with Anguish as the Ages roll.

This quatrain, interpolated after the quatrain which became No. XCVIII.

in the fourth edition, was no doubt inspired by N. 457 (_q.v. sub_ No.

98 _ante_) and by O. 54.

What the Pen has written never changes, And grieving only results in deep affliction; Even through all thy life thou weepest tears of blood, Not one drop becomes increased beyond what it is.

_Ref._: O. 54, B. ii. 144.

VARIATIONS

BETWEEN THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH EDITIONS OF FITZGERALD'S TRANSLATION OF

OMAR KHAYYAM

STANZA

I. In ed. 2:

Wake! For the Sun behind yon Eastern height Has chased the Session of the Stars from Night; And, to the field of Heav'n ascending, strikes The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light.

In the first draft of ed. 3 the first and second lines stood thus

Wake! For the Sun before him into Night A Signal flung that put the Stars to flight.

II. In ed. 2:

Why lags the drowsy Wors.h.i.+pper outside?

V. In edd. 2 and 3:

But still a Ruby gushes from the Vine.

IX. In edd. 2 and 3:

Morning a thousand Roses brings, you say.