Living
Quatrain 183
Translated by E. H. Whinfield (1883) · From The Quatrains (Whinfield)
Living
Why spend life in vainglorious essay
All Being and Not-being to survey?
Since Death is ever pressing at your heels,
'Tis best to drink or dream your life away.
Cite this poem
MLA
Khayyam, Omar. “Quatrain 183.” Translated by E. H. Whinfield. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/omar-khayyam/182/.
Chicago
Khayyam, Omar. “Quatrain 183.” Translated by E. H. Whinfield. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/omar-khayyam/182/.
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