John's edited poem for Philip's 39th birthday
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Last Night's Poem ..Extract from Omar Kayyam's Rubayat
The Rubyat of Omar Kaiyam
AWAKE ! for Morning in the Bowl of Night
Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight:
And Lo ! the Hunter of the East has caught
The Sultan's Turret in a Noose of Light.
Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky
I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry,
"Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup
Before Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry."
And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
The Tavern shouted -'' Open then the Door!
You know how little while we have to stay,
And, once departed, may return no more."
But still the Vine her ancient Ruby yields,
And still a Garden by the Water blows.
Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly - and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.
" Wine ! Wine ! Wine! Red wine" -
the Nightingale cries unto the Rose
And this first Summer Month that brings the Rose
Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobad away.
But come with old Khayyam, and leave the Lot
Let Rustum lay about him as he will,
Or Hatim Tai cry Supper - heed them not.
With me along some Strip of Herbage strewn
That just divides the desert from the sown,
Where name of Slave and Sultan scarce is known,
And pity Sultan Mahmud on his Throne.
Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse - and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness -
And Wilderness is Paradise enow.
Think, in this batter'd Caravanserai
Whose Doorways are alternate Night and Day,
To fill the cup that clears
Today of past Regrets and future Fears -
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