3-057-276 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the English version, 1859. The calligraphy was written by William Morris and decorated by him with delicately painted and illuminated borders of foliage, flowers, fruit, etc. '[41]. For Is and Is-not though with rule and line, And, Up-and-down without, I could define, I yet in all I only cared to know, Was never deep in anything but - Wine. 42. And lately, by the tavern door agape, Came stealing through the dusk an angel shape, Bearing a vessel on his shoulder, and He bid me taste of it; and 'twas - the Grape! 43. The Grape, that can with logic absolute The Two-and-Seventy jarring sects confute: The subtle alchemist that in a trice, Life's leaden metal into gold transmute. 44. The mighty Mahmud, the victorious Lord, That all the misbelieving and black horde...(Of Fears and Sorrows that infest the Soul Scatters and slays with his enchanted Sword)'.