Some for the Glories of This World; and some Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come; Ah, take the Cash in hand and waive the Rest; Oh, the brave Music of a distant Drum!
Poet, mathematician, astronomer
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (FitzGerald translation)
c. 11th-12th century
Found in 1 providers: grok
Cross Reference
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"Better to be intoxicated with wine than with the vain hopes of this world."
Controversial"Ah, Moon of my Delight who know'st no wane, The Moon of Heav'n is rising once again: How oft hereafter rising shall she look Through this same Garden after me—in vain!"
Humorous"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.'"
Strange & Unusual"For let us make our Fête of to-day, for to-morrow we are gone, and what we have enjoyed is gone, and we are gone, and gone is our memory too."
Controversial"Why, all the Saints and Sages who discussed Of the Two Worlds so learnedly, are thrust Like foolish Prophets forth; their Words to Scorn Are scattered, and their Mouths are stopped with Dust."
Controversial