Page:Quatrains of Omar Khayyam (tr. Whinfield, 1883).djvu/368

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312
THE QUATRAINS OF

465.

Though you should sit in sage Aristo's room,
Or rival Cæsar on his throne of Rúm,
    Drain Jamshed's goblet, for your end's the tomb,
Yea, were you Bahram's self, your end's the tomb!


466.

It chanced into a potter's shop I strayed.
He turned his wheel and deftly plied his trade,
    And out of monarchs' heads, and beggars' feet,
Fair heads and handles for his pitchers made!


467.

If you have sense, true senselessness attain,
And the Etern Cupbearer's goblet drain;
    If not, true senselessness is not for you,
Not every fool true senselessness can gain!


465.   N.   Jamhúr, a name of Buzurjimihr, Wazír of Nushirwán.   Faghfúr, the Chinese emperor.   In line 1 scan Aristŭwŭ, dissolving the long u.

466.   C. N. L. A. I. J.   Páya, "the treadle."

467.   L. N.   Meaning, the "truly mystical darkness of ignorance."    See Gulshan i Ráz, p. 13.