A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: Upon the carpet of earth, I see those who sleep, Beneath the ground, those who lie deep. As I gaze upon the desert of non-existence, I see those who have not come and those who have ceased.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: I'll rise and seek pure wine to drink, And dye my cheeks the color of pomegranate. With a handful of wine, I'll silence this curious mind, And strike it down as if in sleep.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: Arise from sleep, let's drink wine, my friend, Before time's harshness brings us to our end. For this contentious wheel of fortune may, Suddenly deny us even time to drink water.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: This spinning sky in which we're lost and blind, Let's liken it to a lantern of the mind. The sun's the lampstand, the world a lantern's light, And we are shadows, wandering in the night.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: O friend, come let us not worry about tomorrow, But seize this fleeting moment of life. For when we leave this mortal abode, We will be companions to those who have lived seven thousand years.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: With a cypress-like figure, fresher than a bed of roses, Take the wine cup and the skirt of the rose from my hand, Before the sudden wind of death tears it away, Like the garment of our life, like the garment of …

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: From the black clay of earth to Saturn's height, I've solved all universal problems with might. With cunning, I've untied every knot so tight, Except the bond of death, which holds its plight.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: Time shames anyone who sits in sorrow, Longing for days that have gone by. Drink from your crystal goblet to the sound of the lute, Before the goblet is dashed against the stone.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: Yesterday I went to the potter’s shop, And saw two thousand pots, both mute and deep. Suddenly one pot cried out with a roar, “Where is the potter, the donkey, and the seller?”

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: If Khayyam, from wine, is drunk and glad, If with moon-faced beauty you are clad, Since the end of the world’s affairs is naught, Be as if you’re not, while you are, be glad.

A Beautiful Rubai by Omar Khayyam English Translation: A cup it is that the Mind Divine doth shape, A hundred kisses of love upon its brow it doth lay. This potter of time, such a delicate cup, Doth fashion, and then upon the ground doth cast it away.

A Note on the Rubai and Translation This rubai presents a unique and intriguing image, with a bird perched on the tomb of a legendary Persian king, musing on the transience of power and glory. The image of a bird perched on the tomb of Kay Kavus, a legendary Persian …