Author(s): Omar Khayyam

Poetry

Few Oriental poets have achieved the international popularity of Omar Khayyam and ever since Rossetti and Swinburne took up Edward Fitzgerald's idiosyncratic translation at the end of the last century his verses have been read by millions. Philosopher, astronomer and mathematician, Khayyam as a poet possesses a singular originality. His poetry is richly charged with evocative power and offers a view of life characteristic of his stormy times, with striking relevance to the present day.This translation by Peter Avery and John Heath-Stubbs is beautifully and lavishly illustrated in colour with numerous examples of Persian miniature painting. It also contains a valuable introduction and several appendices, including an essay on Persian painting.