Page:Quatrains of Omar Khayyam (tr. Whinfield, 1883).djvu/186

130 What eye can pierce the veil of God's decrees, Or read the riddle of earth's destinies? Pondered have I for years threescore and ten, But still am baffled by these mysteries.

They say, when the last trump shall sound its knell, Our Friend will sternly judge, and doom to hell. Can aught but good from perfect goodness come? Compose your trembling hearts, 't will all be well.

Drink wine to root up metaphysic weeds, And tangle of the two-and-seventy creeds; Do not forswear that wondrous alchemy, 'Twill turn to gold, and cure a thousand needs.