Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 39 of 142
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a page of verse text, specifically numbered stanzas (XLVIII-LI) from what appears to be a translation of Omar Khayyám's *Rubaiyat*. The page presents philosophical quatrains meditating on existence, the nature of truth and falsehood (symbolized by a dividing hair), and an elusive divine presence running through creation. The ornamental borders and page number (13) indicate this is from a bound book rather than a penny dreadful serialization. The content concerns metaphysical questions about life's brevity, hidden knowledge, and spiritual truth—characteristic of Victorian-era literary translations rather than sensation fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
_ They change and perish all—but He remains ; } OMAR KHAYYAM, 13 i SSS — XLVIII, A Moment’s Halt—a momentary taste Of Berne from the Well amid the Waste— And Lo !—the phantom Caravan has reacht The Norurne it set out from—Oh, make haste ! XLIX. Would you that spangle of Existence spend About THE sECRET—quick about it, Friend! A Hair perhaps divides the False and True— And upon what, prithee, does life depend ? L. A Hair perhaps divides the False and True ; Yes; and a single Alif were the clue— Could you but find it—to the Treasure-house, And peradventure to Tur Master too; LI. Whose secret Presence, through Creation’s veins Running Quicksilver-like eludes your pains ; Taking all shapes from Mah to Mahi; and HR cCOmicoooks.con