The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám · Chapter
LXXXIX explained
A speaker reflects on their own clay being dried by oblivion, but suggests that filling it with the familiar juice of wine might allow them to recover.
What happens
A speaker reflects on their own clay being dried by oblivion, but suggests that filling it with the familiar juice of wine might allow them to recover.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Transience
The clay dried by long oblivion symbolizes the decay and forgetfulness that comes with death.
Hedonism and Wine
The 'old familiar Juice' (wine) is presented as a means of recovery and revival from oblivion.
Characters to notice
- The Bonhomme
The speaker who murmurs about his clay being dried by oblivion and hopes to recover through wine.
Key passages
“Well, murmur'd one, Let whoso make or buy, My Clay with long Oblivion is gone dry: But fill me with the old familiar Juice, Methinks I might recover by and by.”
One person muttered, 'Let others create or purchase what they will—my body has been dried out by long forgetfulness. But if you fill me with the familiar wine, I think I might be restored in time.'
The speaker contrasts the fate of his own clay (body) with the possibility of revival through wine.