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| Rubaiyat 351-427 |
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| 351 If I need any help, wine helps right away, eases pain of my heart, makes bright what was grey. Truth that drinking is bad doesn't mean pain's better, over pain I would wine choose any day. 352 Even if I were not a good servant of God, my sins would be, I hope, washed away by His blood. We can either rely on His bottomless mercy, or wait helplessly, doomed to another Great Flood. 353 Don't run through your life as if it were a race, slow down, try to walk at a normal pace. Have a drink, then some more, let the world go round, like a dervish it whirls purposelessly in space. 354 Death I have seen, and life's no secret to me, learned about the Big World at Nature's knee. And the final result of my deep observations: from its ills wine must be the best remedy. 355 "May I ask for a favor?" my heart beseeched me. "What's the meaning of this: the truth shall set you free?" "A!" I said. "That's enough!" it, at once, interrupted. "Even a simpleton after A can say B". 356 Heart is blind - it walks into a trap. One day would succumb to temptations, the next - wants to pray. Rather than being bored in a mosque as a novice to a tavern come nightly to drink and to play. 357 Like a rose in jasmine, the red in the white, in the ashes the purple flame, sparklingly bright... But enough similes, to describe truly wine let's just say it turns everything "wrong" into "right". 358 Mortals, don't fret over mistakes you have made, don't let defeats rain on your parade. If God gives you a break, just be grateful and take it, if not, try to be happy without His aid. 359 To live till the decrepit old age - God forbid! To die young, while drinking, is better, indeed. Before a potter turns your flesh into a cup, hold the wine cup firmly, try not to drop it. 360 The desires of the flesh fulfil! Big or small, in her lethal embrace Death will smother them all. And before you are turned into the lifeless matter, with the life-giving wine spray daily your soul. 361 What the flunkies are saying do not trust a word, above every head Fate hangs a Damocles's sword. Fame is sweet, no doubt, but to be lulled by it, for someone wise as you is, quite frankly, absurd. 362 Every pleasure of life I rejected. Instead, chose hardship and poverty, water and bread. After all deprivations, have I saved my soul? Have I become a saint, or simply gone mad? 363 With the aged, vintage wine what can we compare? One glass would make you feel like a millionaire. For the young it is one of the many life's pleasures, for the old me it is more important than air. 364 The God's mind to read is not given to man, it's like trying to measure the Universe's span. Ensconced just for a moment in its smallest corner, be content contemplating as much as you can. 365 If you can't drink, please don't, stop being a fool, a glass quickly may turn into a whirlpool. Very few are content to drink wine for pleasure, many more drown in it, alas, as a rule. 366 One who spent too much time contemplating the truth, while other boys played, has just wasted his youth. Claiming knowledge of life, while being a child, is confusing the old wine with the grape juice. 367 Wine strangles my spirit like the hangman's rope, giving me just two choices, but not any hope: either drink till you are out of your mind, or stay sober and turn into a misanthrope. 368 To the tune of a flute sounding nearby, let's drink a rose wine and dance, you and I. As for a hypocrite, let him get green with envy, let him break his teeth chewing on bread, black and dry! 369 "I am Joseph", a rose bush boasted and cried, "sold to Egypt by brothers, who've lied I have died." "Tell us what is your proof, so we may believe you." "Look at my coat covered in blood," he replied. 370 I've endured long enough your daily abuse, that I'm a godless drunk is not such a big news. I am ready to say "yes" to this accusation, though not sure of whether you're fit to accuse. 371 This saloon is my Mecca, this wine is god, no longer I fear Allah's punishing rod. In a drunken haze I, disregarding His anger, over every commandment am riding roughshod. 372 Too much talking of love puts its magic to flight, words are water extinguishing its charming light. But the true love burns like the unquenchable fire, no sleep, no rest, no peace, day or night. 373 After rain a red rose is drying still, after pain a wounded heart is crying still. It's too early to close a tavern - the stars are in the brightening sky, one by one, dying still. 374 Gold and silver eschew, happiness they won't bring, do not store up riches, but drink, dance and sing. I have thrown away all that shackled my mind, now, dressed like a pauper I feel like a king. 375 If I'm praying to God and He doesn't hear me, maybe Satan will listen and answer my plea. If God thinks what I want is against His wishes, what I want is by Satan suggested maybe. 376 If I sinned, it has happened because of His whim, it was His will to make me a lowly pilgrim. Where was I? Who was I? I was walking in darkness, led, like a blind man, from my first step by Him. 377 When the faithful need rain, they get a dry spell, while Fate rains riches on the infidel. I am not any longer afraid of Hell-fire, to waste life among scoundrels is the true Hell. 378 My thoughts are dull and slow, I wearily plod trying to get behind this world's facade. I just pray that Allah grants me some understanding, only God comprehends the design of God. 379 I have sinned and enjoyed every moment of it, never thinking of time when I will have to meet my creator and, finally, ask for forgiveness, since I failed so many more sins to commit. 380 Being a slave of passions, a life's spoiled brat, at the end of it I feel remorse and regret. Though God, out of mercy, still may forgive me, I am too ashamed even to ask Him for that. 381 Heaven never would let man be happy for long, for each moment of joy woes come like a throng. They remind us constantly who is in power, man can do no right, God can do no wrong. 382 "Wine ruins your life," my good friends used to tell. "On the Judgement Day devils will take you to Hell." So what? I prefer to the life everlasting a few moments of Paradise under its spell. 383 Oh, the merciless God in the merciless sky! If you hate me so much, may I just know why? When my soul was burning I've asked for rain. Adding oil to the fire was your reply. 384 God help him who would never wear silk and brocade, nor put on a disguise at the life's masquerade. Who remains himself despite many temptations, and to tell nothing but the truth isn't afraid. 385 I would ruin my house and sell the last brick to buy wine which makes me exceedingly sick. But the next day, I still have to find some money to drink more, God forgive me, I'm spineless and weak. 386 Don't cry! It is useless. Accept the defeat. Tears cannot cancel death. Better get used to it. Dust returning to dust, clay to clay, our wise heads soon enough shall be kneaded by the potter's feet. 387 Like a ball you are driven by the cruel Fate, at the dazzling speed, towards the deadly gate. When this game will end has been already determined: He , who'd written the rules, had established the date. 388 "Drinking wine becomes an unbearable yoke, if I have one more glass, I would probably choke." Startled, my friend replied: "Omar, you must be joking!" I have emptied it quickly: "Of course, it's a joke!" 389 If I'm drinking too much, don't tell me to stop, it is futile - for wine is my only hope. No matter how terrible is a hangover, it is better than to hang myself by the rope. 390 Because wisdom is valued with us less than tea, because only a fool forgets his misery, I will drown what's left of my mind in wine! Maybe then, fate will kindly smile at me. 391 God, your mercy is slow but anger is swift, when it comes to rewards you are not a spendthrift. If a sinner can't earn an admission to Heaven, try to be kind, Lord, let him in as a gift. 392 What you see is a form, not an essence; the link between two of them is never what one may think. Don't try to make sense of what doesn't; sit down in a quiet place, somewhere, relax, have a drink. 393 The pure spirit, you are, in my body, a guest, stay with me, I would grant your slightest request. And if nothing makes you happy but the pure wine, ask as much as you want before I'm laid to rest. 394 Come with me to a tavern, it's not a big sin, Truth and Justice can often be found therein. While in a madrasah among scribes and scholars, neither wisdom nor righteousness are genuine. 395 In this life, what is better than wine and art? Only your caresses, my lovely sweetheart. Everything gives me pleasure when we are together, nothing can make me happy when we are apart. 396 After drinking the red wine - who needs a book, at the yellow page it's disgusting to look. Since it's better to be ruddy than green and pale, I took up drinking wine and reading forsook. 397 "I did not come to bring peace", said He, "but a sword! If you follow me, Heaven is the reward!" All my life I felt punished, betrayed and forsaken. Would you keep your promise this time, cruel Lord? 398 Why is this chalice empty, insipid and dry? Where is wine that used to burn and purify? Fill it once more, forget the Koran's prohibitions, let your spirit become the red-winged butterfly! 399 After praying all day, to a tavern I went, to stay there all night long was my steadfast intent. After squandering life in a mosque and madrasah, I have come to a tavern to drink and lament. 400 If a man incoherently mutters, it's me, if he screams and obscenities utters, it's me. If he stumbles and falls, going home from a tavern, if you see an old fool in a gutter, it's me. 401 If you have to - drink, but don't lose your head, if you like - talk and argue, but don't get mad at your drinking companions when they contradict you: one who wants to have friends shouldn't act like a cad. 402 Let the holy men curse me, insult and upbraid - to relieve a hangover I would have to trade, in the morn, the Koran for a bottle of wine - I cannot face the new day without its aid. 403 Since death will not have mercy on me anyway, what's the point of begging God for one more day? Since life is so short in the sublunar world, I would rather drink wine and make love than pray. 404 In the pious deeds I would like to excel, for my sins I would love not to go to Hell. But the color and scent of the heavenly wine casts on my soul the irresistible spell. 405 Rather than kneeling piously five times a day, all your worldly possessions at once give away. Just imagine what riches are stored up in Heaven! Put your trust in His word, God would never betray. 406 I shall neither forget nor stop, till my last day, to look for the bright side among the shades of grey. I have found that your face is even brighter than the Sun, prettier than the flowers of May. 407 Like a cloud, pursued by the wind life has passed... Like a dark night, without a glint, life has passed... Like a dream, good or bad, I no longer remember... Like a ghost, leaving not a footprint, life has passed... 408 Don't fall into a trap of Beauty, my friend! Joy and misery always come hand in hand. Love and pain cannot ever be separated. Where does the one begin, where does the other end? 409 Since your mind cannot grasp the essence of things, it's absurd to fret over the petty intrigues. Since the greatness of God will remain forever, don't worry, be happy with what each day brings. 410 Wounded by love, in pain and tears, every day for some cure from this deadly affliction I pray. Far from making my heart like a flower blossom, love has brought to it nothing but death and decay. 411 Only the pious fool would in earnest insist that a fast is much better for you than a feast. The abstention from pleasure won't make one immortal, the same end is in store for a man or a beast. 412 There are too many sects in Islam, so I have established the last one which should nullify all the rest; Love is God in this brand new religion, for to love is to live, but to hate is to die. 413 How long are you going to cry and lament? Have a drink! Everything, good or bad, has its end. Look! Life has its bright side. Don't rush into darkness, where, at last, sad or happy, we all shall descend. 414 Have You suffered a loss when I was dissolute? What does it profit You if I am destitute? I am just asking You to be patient, for I am neither a perfect saint, nor a total brute. 415 From the future or fate one may run, but not hide. What they will bring is not for a man to decide. When God throws a dice you can't take it or leave it. Just keep hoping that it will turn up the right side. 416 No matter how lofty your thoughts, Khayyam, are, even if you can name in the sky every star, in the great scheme of things, among the God's creations you and a speck of dust are the same, so far. 417 Oh, Khayyam! If Allah only gives for a time love and wine and verse - what could be more sublime? Nothing else one may dream of can equal this gift. To get bored with it is an unspeakable crime. 418 Wine! You are a god of contentment, and I am your prophet! For you - I am willing to die! But before that, let me drink to my heart's content, for I cannot leave this world till I've drunk it dry. 419 Life is short! Don't waste it in dreaming, Khayyam! If you want fame, wake up and start beating your drum! Then, perhaps, in the future, among the old ruins, to look for your missing grave people would come. 420 I stopped drinking... and anguish oppresses my soul. Everyone wants to help, to advise, to console. Dear friends, your best efforts are being wasted - nothing else will cure me but with wine filled bowl. 421 This life is but a trap, and we are but a prey, trying to hold the swift hounds of Death at bay. Yet, the Hunter would never admit he is guilty of the horror. "It is your fault", he would say. 422 When Allah, in His wisdom, had mixed the first clay in what I could have been I did not have a say. It's Allah who's created the man's sinful nature. Is it just then to threaten him with the Doomsday? 423 A drunk beggar would fancy himself as a king, like a lion a tipsy fox would start to think. To the young - wine would give the wisdom of aging, to the old age - the freshness of youth it would bring. 424 You, whose justice is to take an eye for an eye, your laws are too simple, too sober, too dry. I spill wine, you - blood, who of us is more reckless, more bloodthirsty, more cruel? Tell me, you or I? 425 Oh, wise man! If a fool tells you that day is night, or that twice two is five, hot is cold, black is white, since the wise are too few, but the fools are too many, play the fool yourself, don't argue and fight. 426 My life's a drunken misery, what can I say. From hangovers I am suffering every day. But instead of confessing and asking for mercy, I would kill myself with wine rather than pray. 427 If God suddenly puts me in charge of my fate, I would not change a thing, I would still contemplate the immensity of the Divine Creation, and the Passion of Man, torn between Love and Hate. |
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