Page:Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the astronomer-poet of Persia (IA ru00biytofomaromarrich).pdf/31

XXXIX.

How long, how long, in infinite Pursuit

Of This and That endeavour and dispute?
⁠Better be merry with the fruitful Grape
Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

XL.

You know, my Friends, how long since in my House

For a new Marriage I did make Carouse:
⁠Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,
And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

XLI.

For "Is" and "Is-not" though with Rule and Line,

And, "Up-and-down" without, I could define,¹⁴
⁠I yet in all I only cared to know,
Was never deep in anything but—Wine.

XLII.

And lately, by the Tavern Door agape,

Came stealing through the Dusk an Angel Shape,
⁠Bearing a vessel on his Shoulder; and
He bid me taste of it; and 'twas—the Grape!

XLIII.

The Grape that can with Logic absolute

The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects¹⁷ confute:
⁠The subtle Alchemist that in a Trice
Life's leaden Metal into Gold transmute.