Page:Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the astronomer-poet of Persia (IA ru00biytofomaromarrich).pdf/29

 Into this Universe, and why not knowing, Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing: And out of it, as Wind along the Waste, I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.

What, without asking, hither hurried whence? And, without asking, whither hurried hence! Another and another Cup to drown The Memory of this Impertinence!

Up from Earth's Centre through the Seventh Gate I rose, and on the Throne of Saturn sate,13 And many Knots unravel'd by the Road; But not the Knot of Human Death and Fate.

There was a Door to which I found no Key: There was a Veil past which I could not see: Some little Talk awhile of and There seemed—and then no more of and .15

Then to the rolling Heav'n itself I cried, Asking, "What Lamp had Destiny to guide "Her little Children stumbling in the Dark?" And—"A blind understanding!" Heav'n replied.