Part 2

Set by Henry Houseley (1852? - 1925), "Part 2", published 1917 [ soli, chorus, orchestra ], from cantata Omar Khayyám, no. 2, New York : H. W. Gray  [sung text checked 1 time]

Note: this setting is made up of several separate texts.


With me along the strip of Herbage strown 
That just divides the desert from the sown,
Where name of Slave and Sultán is forgot --
And Peace to Máhmúd on his golden Throne!

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread -- and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness --
[Oh]1, Wilderness were Paradise enow!

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Un libro di poesie posato sotto un ramo", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

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1 Lehmann : "Ah"

Researcher for this text: Barbara Miller 

Some for the Glories of This World; and some
Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come;
Ah, take the Cash, and let the Promise go,
Nor heed the music of a distant Drum!

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

Some for the Glories of This World; and some
Sigh for the Prophet's Paradise to come;
Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go,
Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum!

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

Look to the [blowing Rose]1 about us -- "Lo,
"Laughing," she says, "into the World I blow:
"At once the silken Tassel of my Purse 
"Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw."

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1 first edition: "Rose that blows".

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

The worldly hope men set their Hearts upon
Turns Ashes, or it prospers; and anon
Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty face,
Lighting a little hour or two -- [is]1 gone.

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1 Fitzgerald has "was" in the second and third editions.

Researcher for this text: Barbara Miller 

Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai,
Whose [Portals]1 are alternate Night and Day,
How Sultan after Sultan with his Pomp,
Abode his [destined hour]2 and went his way.

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1 in the first edition alone: "Doorways"
2 in the first edition alone: "Hour or two"

Researcher for this text: Barbara Miller