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 Imperials 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 Ruba'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 dashed my clay-cup on the stone hard -by ; 

 The reckless frolic raised my heart on high : 



Then said the shards with momentary voice : — 

 (t As tkou, 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 man 

 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. 



