Omar Khayyám was a Persian polymath whose philosophical and scientific contributions, including treatises on mechanics, geography, and music, were largely overshadowed by his poetic output. Revered as "the philosopher of the world," his enduring legacy lies in the profound wisdom and contemplative verses that have captivated readers across cultures. Through influential translations, particularly by Edward FitzGerald, his philosophical insights and poetic quatrains achieved widespread fame, cementing his status as a celebrated voice from the East in the West.
Exploring the philosophical themes of existence, the poems attributed to Omar Khayyam emphasize that life, though fleeting and uncertain, is a significant journey. They encourage free-thinking and highlight the elusive nature of absolute truth, suggesting that the universe holds a reality largely beyond human comprehension. This wisdom inspires readers to reflect on their thoughts and actions in the face of life's mysteries.
Featuring the stunning illustrations of Frank Brangwyn, this exquisite edition showcases the timeless poetry of Omar Khayyam. It beautifully captures the essence of Persian culture and philosophy through rich imagery and lyrical language. This masterpiece intertwines art and literature, making it a treasured addition for lovers of traditional poetry.
Of the many transactions of Omar'sRubáiyát, none has won such universal approbation as that by Edward FitzGerald, the which is so delicious and captivating that it is known and quoted wherever English is spoken. This edition contains the first, second and fifth versions in full, together with the textual variants in the third and fourth editions, thus providing the reader with a complete rendition of FitzGerald's work on the Rubáiyátover a period of more than twenty-five years.There are, in addition, a general introduction by Laurence Housman, an essay on FitzGerald by G. F. Maine, FitzGerald's essay on Omar, the notes to the second edition, which contains the largest number of quatrains, and a glossary.As examples of other literary works by FitzGerald, this volume also contains the second edition of the first of his books to be printed, Euphranor, A Dialogue of Youth in the Platonic manner, and his translation of the Sufi allegorical work, Saláman and Absál by Jámi.
