Page:Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the astronomer-poet of Persia (IA ru00biytofomaromarrich).pdf/30

XXXIV.

Then to this earthen Bowl did I adjourn

My Lip the secret Well of Life to learn:
⁠And Lip to Lip it murmur'd—"While you live,
"Drink!—for once dead you never shall return."

XXXV.

I think the Vessel, that with fugitive

Articulation answer'd, once did live,
⁠And merry-make; and the cold Lip I kiss'd
How many Kisses might it take—and give.

XXXVI.

For in the Market-place, one Dusk of Day,

I watch'd the Potter thumping his wet Clay:
⁠And with its all obliterated Tongue
It murmur'd—"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"

XXXVII.

Ah, fill the Cup:—what boots it to repeat

How Time is slipping underneath our Feet:
⁠Unborn To-morrow and dead Yesterday,
Why fret about them if To-day be sweet!

XXXVIII.

One Moment in Annihilation's Waste,

One moment, of the Well of Life to taste—
⁠The Stars are setting, and the Caravan
Starts for the dawn of Nothing¹⁶—Oh, make haste!