Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Edward FitzGerald

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Third (and Fourth) Edition sequencing preserved
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 Awake! for Morning in the Bowl of Night
 Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight:
 And Lo! the Hunter of the East has caught
 The Sultán's Turret in a Noose of Light.
 Wake! For the Sun behind yon Eastern height 
 Has chased the Session of the Stars from Night,
 And, to the field of Heav'n ascending, strikes 
 The Sultán's Turret with a Shaft of Light.
 Wake! For the Sun who scatter'd into flight
 The Stars before him from the Field of Night,
 Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes 
 The Sultán's Turret with a Shaft of Light.
 Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight
 The Stars before him from the Field of Night,
 Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes 
 The Sultán's Turret with a Shaft of Light.
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 Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky
 I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry,"
 Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup"
 Before Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry."
 Before the phantom of False morning died, 
 Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried,
 "When all the Temple is prepared within, 
 "Why lags the drowsy Worshipper outside?"
 Before the phantom of False morning died, 
 Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried,
 "When all the Temple is prepared within, 
 "Why nods the drowsy Worshipper outside?"
 Before the phantom of False morning died, 
 Methought a Voice within the Tavern cried,
 "When all the Temple is prepared within, 
 "Why nods the drowsy Worshipper outside?"
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 And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
 The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door!
 "You know how little while we have to stay,
 "And, once departed, may return no more."
 And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
 The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door!
 "You know how little while we have to stay,
 "And, once departed, may return no more."
 And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
 The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door!
 "You know how little while we have to stay,
 "And, once departed, may return no more."
 And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
 The Tavern shouted--"Open then the Door!
 "You know how little while we have to stay,
 "And, once departed, may return no more."
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 Now the New Year reviving old Desires.
 The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, 
 Where the White Hand Of Moses on the Bough
 Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.
 Now the New Year reviving old Desires.
 The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, 
 Where the White Hand Of Moses on the Bough 
 Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.
 Now the New Year reviving old Desires.
 The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, 
 Where the White Hand Of Moses on the Bough 
 Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.
 Now the New Year reviving old Desires.
 The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires, 
 Where the White Hand Of Moses on the Bough 
 Puts out, and Jesus from the Ground suspires.
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 Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose,
 And Jamshýd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows;
 But still the Vine her ancient Ruby yields,
 And still a Garden by the Water blows.
 Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose,
 And Jamshýd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows;
 But still a Ruby gushes from the Vine,
 And many a Garden by the Water blows.
 Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose,
 And Jamshýd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows;
 But still a Ruby gushes from the Vine,
 And many a Garden by the Water blows.
 Iram indeed is gone with all his Rose,
 And Jamshýd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows;
 But still a Ruby gushes from the Vine,
 And many a Garden by the Water blows.
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 And David's Lips are lock't; but in divine
 High piping Pehlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine! 
 "Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose
 That yellow Cheek of hers to'incarnadine.
 And David's lips are lockt; but in divine
 High-piping Péhlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine!"
 Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose 
 That sallow cheek of hers to incarnadine.
 And David's lips are lockt; but in divine
 High-piping Péhlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine!"
 Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose 
 That sallow cheek of hers to incarnadine.
 And David's lips are lockt; but in divine
 High-piping Péhlevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine!"
 Red Wine!"--the Nightingale cries to the Rose 
 That sallow cheek of hers to incarnadine.
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 Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
 The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
 The Bird of Time has but a little way
 To fly--and lo! the Bird is on the Wing.
 Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring 
 Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: 
 The Bird of Time has but a little way
 To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing.
 Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring 
 Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: 
 The Bird of Time has but a little way
 To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing.
 Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring 
 Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: 
 The Bird of Time has but a little way
 To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing.
 
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   Whether at Naishápúr or Babylon,
 Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run,
 The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,
 The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.
 Whether at Naishápúr or Babylon,
 Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run,
 The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,
 The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.
 Whether at Naishápúr or Babylon,
 Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run,
 The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop,
 The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.
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 And look--a thousand Blossoms with the Day
 Woke--and a thousand scatter'd into Clay:
 And this first Summer Month that brings the Rose
 Shall take Jamshýd and Kaikobád away.
 Morning a thousand Roses brings, you say;
 Yes, but where leaves the Rose of yesterday?
 And this first Summer month that brings the Rose
 Shall take Jamshýd and Kaikobád away.
 Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say:
 Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday?
 And this first Summer month that brings the Rose
 Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobád away.
 Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say:
 Yes, but where leaves the Rose of Yesterday?
 And this first Summer month that brings the Rose
 Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobád away.
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 But come with old Khayyám, and leave the Lot
 Of Kaikobád and Kaikhosrú forgot!
 Let Rustum lay about him as he will,
 Or Hátim Tai cry Supper--heed them not.
 Well, let it take them! What have we to do 
 With Kaikobád the Great, or Kaikhosrú?
 Let Rusturn cry "To Battle!" as he likes, 
 Or Hátim Tai "To Supper!" --heed not you.
 Well, let it take them! What have we to do 
 With Kaikobád the Great, or Kaikhosrú?
 Let Zál and Rustum thunder as they will,
 Or Hátim call to Supper--heed not you.
 Well, let it take them! What have we to do 
 With Kaikobád the Great, or Kaikhosrú?
 Let Zál and Rustum bluster as they will, 
 Or Hátim call to Supper--heed not you.
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 With me along some Strip of Herbage strown
 That just divides the desert from the sown,
 Where name of Slave and Sultan scarce is known,
 And pity Sultán Máhmúd on his Throne.
 With me along the strip of Herbage strown 
 That just divides the desert from the sown,
 Where name of Slave and Sultán is forgot --
 And Peace to Máhmúd on his golden Throne!
 With me along the strip of Herbage strown 
 That just divides the desert from the sown,
 Where name of Slave and Sultán is forgot --
 And Peace to Máhmúd on his golden Throne!
 With me along the strip of Herbage strown 
 That just divides the desert from the sown,
 Where name of Slave and Sultán is forgot --
 And Peace to Máhmúd on his golden Throne!
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 Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
 A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse--and Thou
 Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
 And Wilderness is Paradise enow.
 Here with a little Bread beneath the Bough,
 A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse--and Thou
 Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
 Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!
 A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
 A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread---and Thou
 Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
 Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!
 A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
 A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread---and Thou
 Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
 Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!
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 "How sweet is mortal Sovranty!"--think some:
 Others--"How blest the Paradise to come!"
 Ah, take the Cash in hand and wave the Rest;
 Oh, the brave Music of a distant Drum!
 Some for the Glories of This World; and some
 Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come;
 Ah, take the Cash, and let the Promise go,
 Nor heed the music of a distant Drum!
 Some for the Glories of This World; and some
 Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come;
 Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go,
 Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum!
 Some for the Glories of This World; and some
 Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come;
 Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go,
 Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum!
 
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   Were it not Folly, Spider-like to spin
The Thread of present Life away to win
What? for ourselves, who know not if we shall
Breathe out the very Breath we now breathe in!
   
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 Look to the Rose that blows about us--"Lo,
 "Laughing," she says, "into the World I blow:
 "At once the silken Tassel of my Purse 
 "Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw."
 Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, 
 "Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow: 
 "At once the silken tassel of my Purse
 "Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw."
 Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, 
 "Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow: 
 "At once the silken tassel of my Purse
 "Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw."
 Look to the blowing Rose about us--"Lo, 
 "Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow: 
 "At once the silken tassel of my Purse
 "Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw."
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 And those who husbanded the Golden Grain,
 And those who flung it to the Winds like Rain,
 Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd
 As, buried once, Men want dug up again.
 For those who husbanded the Golden grain,
 And those who flung it to the winds like Rain,
 Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd
 As, buried once, Men want dug up again.
 And those who husbanded the Golden Grain,
 And those who flung it to the Winds like Rain,
 Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd
 As, buried once, Men want dug up again.
 And those who husbanded the Golden Grain,
 And those who flung it to the Winds like Rain,
 Alike to no such aureate Earth are turn'd
 As, buried once, Men want dug up again.
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 The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon
 Turns Ashes--or it prospers; and anon,
 Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face
 Lighting a little Hour or two---is gone.
 The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon
 Turns Ashes---or it prospers; and anon,
 Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face,
 Lighting a little hour or two--was gone.
 The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon
 Turns Ashes---or it prospers; and anon,
 Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face,
 Lighting a little hour or two--was gone.
 The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon
 Turns Ashes--or it prospers; and anon,
 Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face
 Lighting a little Hour or two---is gone.
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 Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai
 Whose Doorways are alternate Night and Day,
 How Sultán after Sultán with his Pomp
 Abode his Hour or two, and went his way.
 Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai
 Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day,
 How Sultán after Sultán with his Pomp
 Abode his destin'd Hour, and went his way.
 Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai
 Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day,
 How Sultán after Sultán with his Pomp
 Abode his destin'd Hour, and went his way.
 Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai
 Whose Portals are alternate Night and Day,
 How Sultán after Sultán with his Pomp
 Abode his destin'd Hour, and went his way.
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 They say the Lion and the Lizard keep
 The Courts where Jamshýd gloried and drank deep;
 And Bahrám, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass
 Stamps o'er his Head, and he lies fast asleep.
 They say the Lion and the Lizard keep
 The Courts where Jamshýd gloried and drank deep:
 And Bahrám, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass
 Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep.
 They say the Lion and the Lizard keep
 The Courts where Jamshýd gloried and drank deep:
 And Bahrám, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass
 Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep.
 They say the Lion and the Lizard keep
 The Courts where Jamshýd gloried and drank deep:
 And Bahrám, that great Hunter--the Wild Ass
 Stamps o'er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep.
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 I sometimes think that never blows so red
 The Rose as where some buried Cæsar bled;
 That every Hyacinth the Garden wears
 Dropt in its Lap from some once lovely Head.
 I sometimes think that never blows so red
 The Rose as where some buried Cæsar bled;
 That every Hyacinth the Garden wears
 Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head.
 I sometimes think that never blows so red
 The Rose as where some buried Cæsar bled;
 That every Hyacinth the Garden wears
 Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head.
 I sometimes think that never blows so red
 The Rose as where some buried Cæsar bled;
 That every Hyacinth the Garden wears
 Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head.
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 And this delightful Herb whose tender Green
 Fledges the River's Lip on which we lean--
 Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows
 From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen!
 And this delightful Herb whose living Green 
 Fledges the River's Lip on which we lean--
 Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows 
 From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen!
 And this delightful Herb whose tender Green
 Fledges the River's Lip on which we lean--
 Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows
 From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen!
 And this delightful Herb whose tender Green
 Fledges the River's Lip on which we lean--
 Ah, lean upon it lightly! for who knows
 From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen!
 
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   The Palace that to Heav'n his pillars threw,
 And Kings the forehead on his threshold drew--
 I saw the solitary Ringdove there,
 And "Coo, coo, coo," she cried; and "Coo, coo, coo."
   
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 Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
 TO-DAY of past Regrets and future Fears:
 To-morrow! Why, To-morrow I may be
 Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years.
 Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
 TO-DAY of past Regrets and future Fears:
 To-morrow! Why, To-morrow I may be
 Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years.
 Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
 TO-DAY of past Regrets and future Fears:
 To-morrow! Why, To-morrow I may be
 Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years.
 Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
 TO-DAY of past Regrets and future Fears:
 To-morrow! Why, To-morrow I may be
 Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years.
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 Lo! some we loved, the loveliest and best
 That Time and Fate of all their Vintage prest,
 Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before,
 And one by one crept silently to Rest.
 For some we loved, the loveliest and the best 
 That from his Vintage rolling Time has prest,
 Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before, 
 And one by one crept silently to rest.
 For some we loved, the loveliest and the best 
 That from his Vintage rolling Time has prest,
 Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before, 
 And one by one crept silently to rest.
 For some we loved, the loveliest and the best 
 That from his Vintage rolling Time hath prest,
 Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before, 
 And one by one crept silently to rest.
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 And we, that now make merry in the Room
 They left, and Summer dresses in new Bloom,
 Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth
 Descend, ourselves to make a Couch--for whom?
 And we, that now make merry in the Room
 They left, and Summer dresses in new Bloom,
 Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth
 Descend, ourselves to make a Couch--for whom?
 And we, that now make merry in the Room
 They left, and Summer dresses in new Bloom,
 Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth
 Descend, ourselves to make a Couch--for whom?
 And we, that now make merry in the Room
 They left, and Summer dresses in new Bloom,
 Ourselves must we beneath the Couch of Earth
 Descend, ourselves to make a Couch--for whom?
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 Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
 Before we too into the Dust descend;
 Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
 Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End!
 Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
 Before we too into the Dust descend;
 Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
 Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End!
 Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
 Before we too into the Dust descend;
 Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
 Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End!
 Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
 Before we too into the Dust descend;
 Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
 Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and--sans End!
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 Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare,
 And those that after a TO-MORROW stare,
 A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries"
 Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There!"
 Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare,
 And those that after some TO-MORROW stare,
 A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries,"
 Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There!"
 Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare,
 And those that after some TO-MORROW stare,
 A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries,"
 Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There!"
 Alike for those who for TO-DAY prepare,
 And those that after some TO-MORROW stare,
 A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries,"
 Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There!"
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 Oh, come with old Khayyám, and leave the Wise
 To talk; one thing is certain, that Life flies; 
 One thing is certain, and the Rest is Lies ;
 The Flower that once has blown for ever dies.
 Another Voice, when I am sleeping, cries,
 "The Flower should open with the Morning skies."
 And a retreating Whisper, as I wake--
 "The Flower that once has blown for ever dies."
 
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 Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd
 Of the Two Worlds so learnedly, are thrust
 Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn
 Are scatter'd, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust.
 Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd
 Of the Two Worlds so learnedly, are thrust
 Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn
 Are scatter'd, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust.
 Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd
 Of the Two Worlds so learnedly, are thrust
 Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn
 Are scatter'd, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust.
  Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd
 Of the Two Worlds so wisely they are thrust
 Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn
 Are scatter'd, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust.
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 Myself when young did eagerly frequent
 Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
 About it and about: but evermore
 Came out by the same Door as in I went.
 Myself when young did eagerly frequent
 Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
 About it and about: but evermore
 Came out by the same Door as in I went.
 Myself when young did eagerly frequent
 Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
 About it and about: but evermore
 Came out by the same Door where in I went.
 Myself when young did eagerly frequent
 Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
 About it and about: but evermore
 Came out by the same Door where in I went.
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 With them the Seed of Wisdom did I sow,
And with my own hand labour'd it to grow:
And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd-
"I came like Water, and like Wind I go."
 With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow,
 And with my own hand wrought to make it grow:
 And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd--
 "I came like Water, and like Wind I go."
 With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow,
 And with my own hand wrought to make it grow:
 And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd--
 "I came like Water, and like Wind I go."
 With them the seed of Wisdom did I sow,
 And with my own hand wrought to make it grow:
 And this was all the Harvest that I reap'd--
 "I came like Water, and like Wind I go."
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 Into this Universe, and why not knowing,
 Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
 And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
 I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.
 Into this Universe, and why not knowing,
 Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
 And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
 I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.
 Into this Universe, and why not knowing,
 Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
 And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
 I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.
 Into this Universe, and why not knowing,
 Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
 And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
 I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.
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 What, without asking, hither hurried whence?
 And, without asking, whither hurried hence!
 Another and another Cup to drown
 The Memory of this Impertinence!
 What, without asking, hither hurried Whence? 
 And, without asking, Whither hurried hence!
 Ah, contrite Heav'n endowed us with the Vine 
 To drug the memory of that insolence!
 What, without asking, hither hurried Whence? 
 And, without asking, Whither hurried hence!
 Oh, many a Cup of this forbidden Wine 
 Must drown the memory of that insolence!
 What, without asking, hither hurried Whence? 
 And, without asking, Whither hurried hence!
 Oh, many a Cup of this forbidden Wine 
 Must drown the memory of that insolence!
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Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate
 I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate,
 And many Knots unravel'd by the Road;
 But not the Knot of Human Death and Fate.
 Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate
 I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate,
 And many Knots unravel'd by the Road;
 But not the Master-Knot of Human Fate.
 Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate
 I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate,
 And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road;
 But not the Master-knot of Human Fate.
 Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate
 I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate,
 And many a Knot unravel'd by the Road;
 But not the Master-knot of Human Fate.
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 There was a Door to which I found no Key:
 There was a Veil past which I could not see:
 Some little Talk awhile of ME and THEE;
 There seem'd--and then no more of THEE, and ME.
 There was the Door to which I found no Key:
 There was the Veil through which I could not see: 
 Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE
 There was--and then no more of THEE and ME.
 There was the Door to which I found no Key:
 There was the Veil through which I could not see: 
 Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE
 There was--and then no more of THEE and ME.
 There was the Door to which I found no Key:
 There was the Veil through which I might not see: 
 Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE
 There was--and then no more of THEE and ME.
 
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   Earth could not answer; nor the Seas that mourn
 In flowing Purple, of their Lord forlorn;
 Nor Heav'n, with those eternal Signs reveal'd
 And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn.
 Earth could not answer; nor the Seas that mourn
 In flowing Purple, of their Lord forlorn;
 Nor rolling Heaven, with all his Signs reveal'd
 And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn.
 Myself when young did eagerly frequent
 Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
 About it and about: but evermore
 Came out by the same Door where in I went.
 
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   Then of the THEE IN ME who works behind
 The Veil of Universe I cried to find
 A Lamp to guide me through the Darkness; and
 Something then said--"An Understanding blind."
 Then of the THEE IN ME who works behind
 The Veil, I lifted up my hands to find
 A Lamp amid the Darkness; and I heard,
 As from Without--"THE ME WITHIN THEE BLIND!"
 Then of the THEE IN ME who works behind
 The Veil, I lifted up my hands to find
 A Lamp amid the Darkness; and I heard,
 As from Without--"THE ME WITHIN THEE BLIND!"
33
     
 Then to the rolling Heav'n itself I cried, Asking, 
 "What Lamp had Destiny to guide"
 Her little Children stumbling in the Dark?"
 And--"A blind Understanding!" Heav'n replied.
   
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35
35
 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."
 Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn
 I lean'd, 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."
 Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn 
 I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn:
 And Lip to Lip it murmur'd---"While you live,
 "Drink!--for, once dead, you never shall return."
 Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn 
 I lean'd, the Secret of my Life to learn:
 And Lip to Lip it murmur'd---"While you live,
 "Drink!--for, once dead, you never shall return."
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36
36
 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!
 I think the Vessel, that with fugitive
 Articulation answer'd, once did live,
 And drink; and that impassive Lip I kiss'd,
 How many Kisses might it take--and give!
 I think the Vessel, that with fugitive
 Articulation answer'd, once did live,
 And drink; and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss'd,
 How many Kisses might it take--and give!
 I think the Vessel, that with fugitive
 Articulation answer'd, once did live,
 And drink; and Ah! the passive Lip I kiss'd,
 How many Kisses might it take--and give!
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40
37
37
 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 !"
 For I remember stopping by the way
 To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay:
 And with its all-obliterated Tongue
 It murmur'd--"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"
 For I remember stopping by the way
 To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay:
 And with its all-obliterated Tongue
 It murmur'd--"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"
 For I remember stopping by the way
 To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay:
 And with its all-obliterated Tongue
 It murmur'd--"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"
 
41
38
38
 For has not such a Story from of Old
 Down Man's successive generations roll'd
 Of such a clod of saturated Earth
 Cast by the Maker into Human mould?
 Listen--a moment listen!--Of the same
 Poor Earth from which that Human Whisper came
 The luckless Mould in which Mankind was castT
 hey did compose, and call'd him by the name.
 And has not such a Story from of Old
 Down Man's successive generations roll'd
 Of such a clod of saturated Earth
 Cast by the Maker into Human mould?
37
     
 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!
   
 
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39
39
   And not a drop that from our Cups we throw
 On the parcht herbage but may steal below
 To quench the fire of Anguish in some Eye
 There hidden--far beneath, and long ago.
 And not a drop that from our Cups we throw
 For Earth to drink of, but may steal below
 To quench the fire of Anguish in some Eye
 There hidden--far beneath, and long ago.
 And not a drop that from our Cups we throw
 For Earth to drink of, but may steal below
 To quench the fire of Anguish in some Eye
 There hidden--far beneath, and long ago.
 
43
40
40
   As then the Tulip for her wonted sup
 Of Heavenly Vintage lifts her chalice up,
 Do you, twin offspring of the soil, till Heav'n
 To Earth invert you like an empty Cup.
 As then the Tulip for her morning sup
 Of Heav'nly Vintage from the soil looks up,
 Do you devoutly do the like, till Heav'n
 To Earth invert you like an empty Cup.
 As then the Tulip for her morning sup
 Of Heav'nly Vintage from the soil looks up,
 Do you devoutly do the like, till Heav'n
 To Earth invert you like an empty Cup.
 
44
   
   Do you, within your little hour of Grace, 
 The waving Cypress in your Arms enlace,
 Before the Mother back into her arms 
 Fold, and dissolve you in a last embrace.
   
 
55
41
41
   Oh, plagued no more with Human or Divine
 To-morrow's tangle to itself resign,
 And lose your fingers in the tresses of
 The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine.
 Perplext no more with Human or Divine, 
 To-morrow's tangle to the winds resign,
 And lose your fingers in the tresses of 
 The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine.
 Perplext no more with Human or Divine, 
 To-morrow's tangle to the winds resign,
 And lose your fingers in the tresses of 
 The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine.
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45
42
42
 And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press,
 End in the Nothing all Things end in--Yes---
 Then fancy while Thou art, Thou art but what
 Thou shalt be---Nothing--thou shalt not be less.
 And if the Cup you drink, the Lip you press, 
 End in what All begins and ends in--Yes; 
 Imagine then you are what heretofore
 You were--hereafter you shall not be less.
 And if the Wine you drink, the Lip you press, 
 End in what All begins and ends in--Yes;
 Think then you are TO-DAY what YESTERDAY 
 You were--TO-MORROW you shall not be less.
 Myself when young did eagerly frequent
 Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
 About it and about: but evermore
 Came out by the same Door where in I went.
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46
43
43
 While the Rose blows along the River Brink,
 With old Khayyám the Ruby Vintage drink:
 And when the Angel with his darker Draught
 Draws up to Thee--take that, and do not shrink.
 So when at last the Angel of the drink
 Of Darkness finds you by the river-brink,
 And, proffering his Cup, invites your Soul
 Forth to your Lips to quaff it--do not shrink.
 So when the Angel of the darker Drink
 At last shall find you by the river-brink,
 And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul
 Forth to your Lips to quaff--you shall not shrink.
 So when the Angel of the darker Drink
 At last shall find you by the river-brink,
 And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul
 Forth to your Lips to quaff--you shall not shrink.
 
69
44
44
   Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside,
 And naked on the Air of Heaven ride,
 Is't not a shame---is't not a shame for him
 So long in this Clay suburb to abide?
 Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside,
 And naked on the Air of Heaven ride,
 Wer't not a Shame--wer't not a shame for him
 In this clay carcase crippled to abide?
 Why, if the Soul can fling the Dust aside,
 And naked on the Air of Heaven ride,
 Wer't not a Shame--wer't not a shame for him
 In this clay carcase crippled to abide?
 
70
45
45
   But that is but a Tent wherein may rest
 A sultan to the realm of Death addrest;
 The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrásh
 Strikes, and prepares it for another guest.
 'Tis but a Tent where takes his one-day's rest
 A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest;
 The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrásh
 Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest.
 'Tis but a Tent where takes his one-day's rest
 A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest;
 The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrásh
 Strikes, and prepares it for another Guest.
 
47
46
46
   And fear not lest Existence closing your
 Account, should lose, or know the type no more;
 The Eternal Sáki from that Bowl has pour'd 
 Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour.
 And fear not lest Existence closing your
 Account, and mine, should know the like no more;
 The Eternal Sáki from the Bowl has pour'd
 Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour.
 And fear not lest Existence closing your 
 Account, and mine, should know the like no more;
 The Eternal Sáki from that Bowl has pour'd 
 Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour.
 
48
47
47
   When You and I behind the Veil are past,
 Oh but the long long while the World shall last
 Which of our Coming and Departure heeds
 As much as Ocean of a pebble-cast.
 When You and I behind the Veil are past,
 Oh but the long, long while the World shall last,
 Which of our Coming and Departure heeds
 As the Sev'n Seas should heed a pebble-cast.
 When You and I behind the Veil are past,
 Oh, but the long, long while the World shall last,
 Which of our Coming and Departure heeds
 As the Sea's self should heed a pebble-cast.
38
49
48
48
 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 Nothing--Oh, make haste!
 One Moment in Annihilation's Waste,
 One Moment, of the Well of Life to taste--
 The Stars are setting, and the Caravan
 Draws to the Dawn of Nothing--Oh make haste!
 A Moment's Halt—a momentary taste
 Of BEING from the Well amid the Waste--
 And LO!--the phantom Caravan has reach'd
 The NOTHING it set out from--Oh, make haste!
 A Moment's Halt—a momentary taste
 Of BEING from the Well amid the Waste--
 And LO!--the phantom Caravan has reach'd
 The NOTHING it set out from--Oh, make haste!
 
50
49
49
   Would you that spangle of Existence spend
 About THE SECRET -- quick about it, Friend!
 A Hair, they say, divides the False and True --
 And upon what, prithee, does Life depend?