Rediscover Omar Khayyam through a faithful English verse rendering
In this edition, Eben Francis Thompson presents the quatrains attributed to Omar Khayyam in a meticulous, self-contained English verse, aiming to preserve the original voice while remaining true to the sense and feel of the Persian originals. An introductory essay by Nathan Haskell Dole frames the work, explaining translation challenges and the place of Khayyam in literary history.
This edition gathers the Omar Khayyam quatrains into one accessible volume, with scholarly notes that illuminate manuscript variants and cultural context. It seeks to offer readers a broad view of the poet’s themes—fate, wine, friendship, and the fleeting nature of life—without relying on any single prior rendering.
What you’ll experience
- A complete, verse-based presentation of the quatrains as Thompson renders them
- An insightful introduction that discusses translation and tradition
- Footnotes clarifying variants and terms found in different manuscripts
- Context that helps readers understand the historical and literary setting
Ideal for readers who enjoy classic poetry and literary translation, and for those curious about how Omar Khayyam’s quatrains sound in English verse today.