Page:Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the astronomer-poet of Persia (IA ru00biytofomaromarrich).pdf/31

 How long, how long, in infinite Pursuit Of This and That endeavour and dispute? Better be merry with the fruitful Grape Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

You know, my Friends, how long since in my House For a new Marriage I did make Carouse: Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed, And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

For "" and "" though with Rule and Line, And, "" without, I could define,14 I yet in all I only cared to know, Was never deep in anything but—Wine.

And lately, by the Tavern Door agape, 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!

The Grape that can with Logic absolute The Two-and-Seventy jarring Sects17 confute: The subtle Alchemist that in a Trice Life's leaden Metal into Gold transmute.