The Quatrains of Omar Khayyam: Three translations of the Rubaiyat (Paperback)

~ Omar Khayyam (Author), Justin, Huntley McCarthy (Translator), Richard Le Gallienne (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Though few translations have had as much impact as Edward Fitzgerald's Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, anyone who wishes to truly appreciate Omar Khayyám needs to read more than one translation. This volume contains Edward Fitzgerald's classic translation with all its variations, Justin McCarthy's elegant and mystical literal translation and Richard Le Gallienne's sharp and poetic version. For the first time the reader can appreciate the range of Omar Khayyám and his interpreters in a single volume. Give me a flagon of red wine, a book of verses, a loaf of bread, and a little idleness. If with such store I might sit by thy dear side in some lonely place, I should deem myself happier than a king in his kingdom.

A book, a woman, and a flask of wine: The three make heaven for me; it may be thine Is some sour place of singing cold and bare— But then, I never said thy heaven was mine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Bardic Press (July 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974566713
• ISBN-13: 978-0974566719
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #480,655 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Omar Khayyam, January 15, 2009

By	Thomas W. Blakey "Master Sergeant, US Army (r... (Severn, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I was aware of the Fitzgerald translation. The other two translations in the book are equally high quality.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work by Richard Le Gallienne, November 12, 2007

By	brian0918 - See all my reviews

I should start off by saying that I am not familiar with Omar Khayyam or his work. I should also state that Richard La Gallienne's translation is likely completely unlike the literal translation. His effort was only to produce a witty and stylish version reminiscent of Khayyam's original intent. From what I have read, it is excellent on its own. I do not generally go in for poetry, but found that I couldn't stop reading this work. Here are some especially interesting excerpts:

Look not above, there is no answer there;
Pray not, for no one listens to your prayer;
Near is as near to God as any Far,
And Here is just the same deceit as There.

[...]

And do you think that unto such as you;
A maggot-minded, starved, fanatic crew:
God gave the secret, and denied it me?--
Well, well, what matters it! Believe that, too.

[...]

"Did God set grapes a-growing, do you think,
And at the same time make it sin to drink?
Give thanks to Him who foreordained it thus--
Surely He loves to hear the glasses clink!"