The Sufistic Quatrains Of Omar Khayyam Part 69

15.

In the region of hope, form as many friends as you can; in the time of existence, bind yourself to a perfect friend, for, know well that a hundred Kaabas, made of earth and water, are not worth one heart. Leave, then, thy Kaabas and rather seek a heart.

16.

When I take in my hand a cup of wine and, in the joy of my soul, become intoxicate, then, in that state of fire which devours me, I see a hundred miracles grow real, and words, clear as the most limpid water, come to explain the mystery of all things.

17.

Since the duration of a day is only two stages, make haste to drink wine, the limpid wine; for know well that you near the end of your vanis.h.i.+ng existence. And, since you know that this world drags all to decay, be wise, and, also, day and night be drenched in wine.

18.

We who give ourselves up to the will of wine offer with joy our souls in holocaust to the laughing lips of the juice divine. Oh! rapturous sight! Our cup-bearer holds in one hand the neck of the flask and in the other the cup overflowing, as if inviting us to receive the purest of the blood!

19.

Yes, we, seated in the midst of this treasure in ruins, surrounded by wine and dancers, have put in p.a.w.n [in order to procure them] all that we possess: soul, heart, goods--everything but the cup. We are thus freed from hope of pardon and fear of punishment. We are beyond the air, the earth, and fire and water.

20.

The distance which separates incredulity from faith is but a breath,--that which separates doubt from certainty is equally but a breath. Let us, then, pa.s.s this precious s.p.a.ce of a breath gaily, for our life also is only separated [from death] by the s.p.a.ce of a breath.

21.

O Wheel of Destiny! destruction comes of thy implacable hate. Tyranny for thee is an act of predilection which thou hast committed from the commencement of centuries; and thou, also, O Earth, if one search in thy bosom, what inappreciable treasures will he not find there!

22.

My turn of existence has slipped around in a few days.

It has pa.s.sed as pa.s.ses the wind over the desert. Then, while remains to me a breath of life, two days shall be for which I never need be troubled, the day which has not come and that which now has pa.s.sed.

23.

This priceless ruby comes from a mine of its own, this rare pearl is pregnant with a character its own; our different dogmas on this matter are erroneous, since the enigma of perfect love is explained in a language of its own [and that is not conveyed to us].

24.

Since to-day is my turn for youth, I intend to pa.s.s it in drinking wine, for that is my pleasure. Begin not to talk of its bitterness, to speak ill of this delicious juice, for it is agreeable, and is only bitter because it enforces the bitterness of my life.

25.

O my poor heart! Since thy lot is to be bruised to death by chagrin, since nature wills that thou be wounded each day with some new torment, tell me, O my soul, why stay you in my body, since you must finally leave it some day?

26.

Thou canst not count to-day on seeing the day after to-morrow; even to think of this to-morrow would be the part of folly; if thy heart is awakened, lose not in inaction this instant of life [which remains to thee] and for the duration of which I see no warranty.

27.

It is not necessary to knock at every door unless there be a reason for it. It is better to accommodate oneself to the good and the bad here below, for hereafter we can only enjoy the number of moves which destiny presents upon the chessboard of this terrestrial ball.

28.

This jug [earthen vessel] has been, like me, a loving and unhappy creature; it has sighed for a lock of some young beauty's hair; this handle that you see attached to its neck was an amorous arm pa.s.sed about the neck of some girl.

29.

Before your time or mine, there were many twilights, many dawns, and it is not without reason that the movement of rotation is enforced upon the heavens. Be careful as you place your foot upon this dust, for it has, without doubt, formed the eyes of someone young and fair.

30.

The temple of idols and the Kaaba are places of adoration; the chime of the bells is but a hymn chanted to the praise of the All-Powerful. The _mehrab_ [Mohammedan pulpit], the church, the chapel, the cross are, in truth, but different stations for rendering homage to the Deity.

31.

Existing things were already predestined upon the tablet of creation. The brush [of the universe] did not paint good and bad. With destiny G.o.d imprinted whatever should be so imprinted, and the efforts that we make in these directions are wholly lost.

32.

I can but vaguely tell my secret to the bad or to the good. I cannot elaborate or explain my thought, which is essentially brief. I see a place of which I can only trace a description; I possess a secret which I cannot unveil.

33.

False money is not current among us. The broom has rid our joyous dwelling of it completely. An old man, returning from the tavern, said to me: Drink wine, my friend, for other lives shall follow yours in your long sleep.

34.

In the face of the decrees of Providence, nothing avails but resignation. Among men nothing avails but seeming and hypocrisy. I have employed every ruse, the strongest that the human mind can invent, but destiny has always overturned my projects.