Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TOAST TO OMAR KHAYYAM; AN EAST ANGLICAN ECHO-CHORUS, by THEODORE WATTS-DUNTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TOAST TO OMAR KHAYYAM; AN EAST ANGLICAN ECHO-CHORUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In this red wine, where memory's eyes seem glowing
Last Line: Omar khayyam!
Alternate Author Name(s): Watts, Theodore
Subject(s): Omar Khayyam (1048-1122)


Chorus

IN this red wine, where Memory's eyes seem glowing
Of days when wines were bright by Ouse and Cam,
And Norfolk's foaming nectar glittered, showing
What beard of gold John Barleycorn was growing,
We drink to thee whose lore is Nature's knowing,
Omar Khayyam!

I

Star-gazer who canst read, when night is strowing
Her scriptured orbs on Time's frail oriflamme,
Nature's proud blazon: "Who shall bless or damn?
Life, Death, and Doom are all of my bestowing!"

Chorus
Omar Khayyam!

II

Master whose stream of balm and music, flowing
Through Persian gardens, widened till it swam --
A fragrant tide no bank of Time shall dam --
Through Suffolk meads where gorse and may were blowing,

Chorus
Omar Khayyam!

III

Who blent thy song with sound of cattle lowing,
And caw of rooks that perch on ewe and ram,
And hymn of lark, and bleat of orphan lamb,
And swish of scythe in Bredfield's dewy mowing?

Chorus
Omar Khayyam!

IV

'T was Fitz, "Old Fitz," whose knowledge, farther going
Than lore of Omar, "Wisdom's starry Cham,"
Made richer still thine opulent epigram:
Sowed seed from seed of thine immortal sowing.

Chorus
Omar Khayyam!

In this red wine, where Memory's eyes seem glowing
Of days when wines were bright by Ouse and Cam,
And Norfolk's foaming nectar glittered, showing
What beard of gold John Barleycorn was growing,
We drink to thee whose lore is Nature's knowing,
Omar Khayyam!





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