Omar Khayyam (273) “Do good, and cast it upon the waters”

Juan Cole 10/01/2012

My sweetheart —
may she live as long
as my heartbreak —
today began her kindnesses
anew.
She locked eyes with me
for an instant,
then was gone–
meaning: Do good,
and cast it upon the waters.

Translated by Juan Cole
from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 273

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment and Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History at the University of Michigan. He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires. Follow him at @jricole.