I have no idea if the one who created me placed me among the good in paradise or the hideous in hell. A cup, a sweetheart, and a lute are cash enough for me and credit toward heaven for you. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 94
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Culture
Omar Khayyam (93)
I am a sinner, where is your acceptance? My heart is dark, where is your light and clarity? If you grant me paradise because of my obedience, that is just a salary. Where is your grace and charity? Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 93
British PM Anthony Eden and the Persian Poet Hafiz
“I suppose that anyone with sort of broad European culture has a fairly good idea of Persian history– he must have– it’s part of our history, as well. And, having been brought up in France, I was perfectly familiar with Lettres Persanes and all the rest of it. For that matter, Omar Khayyam was a […]
Omar Khayyam (89)
For a whole lifetime, I’ve made praising wine a constant exercise. I always have its instruments around me. Prude, if reason is your teacher here, cheer up– for your teacher is my student. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 89
Omar Khayyam sung in Persian by the Kamkaran Group
The Kamkaran group performs Khayyam’s poetry in classical style in Tehran:
Omar Khayyam (88)
Since we have to go, what is it to exist? What is it to chase impossible ambitions? They’ll never pass by anyplace with a sense of well-being. What is it to be deprived both of travel and of rest? Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 88
Life of Omar Khayyam pt 5 (Documentary)
Fifth and final part of “The Genius of Omar Khayyam” — the continuing appeal of his poetry and philosophy, and the question of how much of Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat translation is Fitzgerald and how much Khayyam:
Omar Khayyam (85)
A cup full of rose-colored wine is beautiful; the tunes of the lute are lovely. As for the prude who knows nothing of wine, it is beautiful when he is very far away. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 85
Life of Omar Khayyam, pt 4 (Documentary)
Part 4 of the “Genius of Omar Khayyam”— how Edward Fitzgerald’s translation became a Western publishing sensation: