Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NOTES. 31 (XXXII.) Me-anp-THee: some dividual Existence or Personality distinct from the Whole. (XXXVII.) One of the Persian Poets—Attar, I think—has a pretty story about this. A thirsty Traveller dips his hand into a Spring of Water to drink from. By-and-by comes another who draws up and drinks from an earthen Bowl, and then departs, leaving his Bowl behind him. The first Traveller takes it up for another draught; but is surprised to find that the same Water which had tasted sweet from his own hand tastes bitter from the earthen Bowl. But a Voice—from Heaven, I think— tells him the clay from which the Bowl is made was once Man ; and, into whatever shape renew’d, can never lose the bitter flavour of Mortality. (XXXIX.) The custom of throwing a little Wine on the ground before drinking still continues in Persia, and perhaps generally in the East. Mons. Nicolas considers it “ un signe de libéralité, et en méme temps un avertissement que le buveur doit vider sa coupe jusqu’a la derniére goutte.” Is it not more likely an ancient Superstition ; a Libation to propitiate Earth, or make her an Accomplice in the illicit Revel? Or, perhaps, to divert the Jealous Eye by some Sacrifice of superfluity, as with the Ancients of the West ? With Omar we see something more is signified; the precious Liquor is not lost, but sinks into the ground to refresh the dust of some poor Wine- worshipper foregone. Thus Hafiz, copying Omar in so many ways: “ When thou drinkest Wine pour a draught on the ground. Wherefore fear the Sin which brings to another Gain ?” (XLIII.) According to one beautiful Oriental Legend, Azriel accomplishes his mission by holding to the nostril an Apple from the Tree of Life. é a — a SS — Se Aste Be ee com DOO Si. (CO)