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OMAR KHAYYÁM OF NAISHÁPÚR.
9
XXXIX.
Of This and That endeavour and dispute?
Better be merry with the fruitful Grape
Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.
XL.
For a new Marriage I did make Carouse:
Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,
And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.
XLI.
And, "Up-and-down" without, I could define,14
I yet in all I only cared to know,
Was never deep in anything but—Wine.
XLII.
Came stealing through the Dusk an Angel Shape,
Bearing a vessel on his Shoulder; and
He bid me taste of it; and 'twas—the Grape!
XLIII.
The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects17 confute:
The subtle Alchemist that in a Trice
Life's leaden Metal into Gold transmute.