Loss

Quatrain 21

“Lo! some we loved, the loveliest and the best

That Time and Fate of all their Vintage prest,

Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before,

And one by one crept silently to Rest.”

tr. Edward FitzGerald, 1859

Quatrain 32

“There was a Door to which I found no Key:

There was a Veil past which I could not see:

Some little Talk awhile of ME and THEE

There seemed—and then no more of THEE and ME.”

tr. Edward FitzGerald, 1859

Quatrain 65

“Then said another with a long-drawn Sigh,

"My Clay with long oblivion is gone dry:

But, fill me with the old familiar Juice,

Methinks I might recover by-and-bye!"”

tr. Edward FitzGerald, 1859

Quatrain 69

“Alas, that Spring should vanish with the Rose!

That Youth's sweet-scented Manuscript should close!

The Nightingale that in the Branches sang,

Ah, whence, and whither flown again, who knows!”

tr. Edward FitzGerald, 1859

Quatrain 70

“Ah, Moon of my Delight who know'st no wane,

The Moon of Heav'n is rising once again:

How oft hereafter rising shall she look

Through this same Garden after me—in vain!”

tr. Edward FitzGerald, 1859

Quatrain 71

“And when Thyself with shining Foot shall pass

Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass,

And in thy joyous Errand reach the Spot

Where I made one—turn down an empty Glass!”

tr. Edward FitzGerald, 1859