Poems by Omar Khayyam

[1] AWAKE! for Morning in the Bowl of Night
[2] Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky
[3] And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
[4] Now the New Year reviving old Desires
[5] Iram indeed is gone with all its Rose
[6] And David's Lips are lock't; but in divine
[7] Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
[8] And look -- a thousand Blossoms with the Day
[9] But come with old Khayyam, and leave the Lot
[10] With me along the strip of Herbage strown
[11] Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough
[12] "How sweet is mortal Sovranty!" -- think some:
[13] Look to the Rose that blows about us -- "Lo
[14] The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon
[15] And those who husbanded the Golden Grain
[16] Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai
[17] They say the Lion and the Lizard keep
[18] I sometimes think that never blows so red
[19] And this delightful Herb whose tender Green
[20] Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
[21] Lo! some we loved, the loveliest and best
[22] And we, that now make merry in the Room
[23] Ah, make the most of what we may yet spend
[24] Alike for those who for To-day prepare
[25] Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd
[26] Oh, come with old Khayyam, and leave the Wise
[27] Myself when young did eagerly frequent
[28] With them the Seed of Wisdom did I sow
[29] Into this Universe, and Why not knowing
[30] What, without asking, hither hurried whence?
[31] Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate
[32] There was a Door to which I found no Key:
[33] Then to the rolling Heav'n itself I cried
[34] Then to this earthen Bowl did I adjourn
[35] I think the Vessel, that with fugitive
[36] For in the Market-place, one Dusk of Day
[37] Ah, fill the Cup: -- what boots it to repeat
[38] One Moment in Annihilation's Waste
[39] How long, how long, in infinite Pursuit
[40] You know, my Friends, how long since in my House
[41 - later edition] Perplext no more with Human or Divine Perplext no more with Human or Divine
[41] For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and Line
[42 - later edition] Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit
[42] And lately, by the Tavern Door agape
[43] The Grape that can with Logic absolute
[44] The mighty Mahmud, the victorious Lord
[45] But leave the Wise to wrangle, and with me
[46 - later edition] Why, be this Juice the growth of God, who dare Why, be this Juice the growth of God, who dare
[46] For in and out, above, about, below
[47] And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press
[48] While the Rose blows along the River Brink
[49] 'Tis all a Chequer-board of Nights and Days
[50] The Ball no Question makes of Ayes and Noes
[51 - later edition] Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside
[51] The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ
[52 - later edition] But that is but a Tent wherein may rest
[52] And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky
[53 - later edition] I sent my Soul through the Invisible
[53] With Earth's first Clay They did the Last Man knead
[54] I tell Thee this -- When, starting from the Goal
[55] The Vine has struck a fiber: which about
[56] And this I know: whether the one True Light
[57] Oh Thou, who didst with Pitfall and with gin
[58] Oh, Thou, who Man of baser Earth didst make
[59] Listen again
[60] And, strange to tell, among that Earthen Lot
[61] Then said another -- "Surely not in vain
[62] Another said -- "Why, ne'er a peevish Boy
[63] None answer'd this; but after Silence spake
[64] Said one -- "Folks of a surly Tapster tell
[65] Then said another with a long-drawn Sigh
[66] So while the Vessels one by one were speaking
[67] Ah, with the Grape my fading Life provide
[68] That ev'n my buried Ashes such a Snare
[69] Indeed the Idols I have loved so long
[70] Indeed, indeed, Repentance oft before
[71] And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel
[72] Alas, that Spring should vanish with the Rose!
[73] Ah Love! could thou and I with Fate conspire
[74] Ah, Moon of my Delight who know'st no wane
[75] And when Thyself with shining Foot shall pass

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