The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

The verses (Rubaiyat) of Omar Khayyam have been enormously influential in many peoples' thoughts since publication of their 'translation' in 1859 by Edward FitzGerald. Their mixture of cynicism and hope, of exaltation by turns of both intellect and senses, has meant that the verses are often quoted aphoristically. They are in any case largely independent. One, Verse LI of this version, has become famous. It is an excellent encapsulation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Edward FitzGerald and the translation of the Rubaiyat

It is widely recognised that the 'translation' that FitzGerald made had about it a good deal of FitzGerald himself. The first verse is entirely his own invention, and as to the rest:

"It must be admitted that FitzGerald took great liberties with the original in his version of Omar Khayyam."

So wrote W Aldis Wright, who edited a version of the Rubaiyat for Macmillan in 1962. There is no definitive list of rubaiyat that can be attributed to Omar; the Sufi Trust has published a parallel Arabic/English version with over 400 quatrains, for example. From the point of view of enjoyment, therefore, not of scholarship, the first FitzGerald version is given.

Omar Khayyam

Omar Khayyam was born in Naishapur in Khorassan, Persia, in the latter half of the eleventh century. Very little is known about him; he was active in astronomy and in calendar reform, and wrote a treatise on algebra. His family name means 'tentmaker'. He died probably in 1123.

Please note that my interest lies solely in the poem - I have no information about, and do not deal in, the various editions that have been published.

Edward FitzGerald