Manuscripts of 'Omar Khayyam. 103 



sense, but merely according to alphabetic rhyme, is avoided 

 by the device of stringing the selected verses into a kind 

 of eclogue. 



After Mr. Fitzgerald's poem the reprint contains the note 

 by M. Garcin de Tassy 'sur les Rubai'yat de 'Omar Khay- 

 yam/ Paris, Imprimerie Imperiale. 1857. Then comes the 

 article on 'Omar which appeared in the Calcutta Review, 

 No. LIX, and is obviously by the same masterly hand as 

 translated 'Omar's Rab&'iydt. And lastly we find ' some 

 more of 'Omar's Quatrains/ few or none of which had been 

 previously rendered into English metre. The versions of 

 quatrains in question have at least the merit of literality. 



i. 



I clashed my clay-cup on the stone hard-by ; 

 The reckless frolic raised my heart on high : 



Then said the shards with momentary voice : — 

 " As thou, was 1 once — thou shalt be as I." 



Annihilation makes me not to fear : 



In truth it seems more sweet than lingering here : 



My life was sent me as a loan unsought : 

 When pay-day comes I'll pay without a tear. 



Has God made profit from my coming ? Nay. 

 His glory gains not when I go away. 



Mine ear has never heard from mortal mau 

 This coming and this going, why are they. 



I'd not have come, had this been left to me : 

 Nor would I go, to go if I were free : 



Oh best of all, upon this lonely earth 

 Neither to come nor go — yea Not to Be ! 



I came not hither of my own design, 

 And I shall go some day — no choice of mine : 

 My graceful maiden, gird thyself and serve ; 

 We must wash down this earthly care in wine. 



