# XXXVII explained — The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

> Chapter companion for The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám by Omar Khayyám.

## What happens

The speaker recalls observing a Potter working his wet clay, which murmurs a plea for gentle handling, using its obliterated tongue.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Potter and Clay Metaphor

The Potter thumping his wet clay and the clay's plea for gentleness directly invoke this metaphor.

## Character check-ins

### The Bonhomme

The speaker who remembers stopping to watch the Potter.

## Key lines

> For I remember stopping by the way To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay: And with its all-obliterated Tongue It murmur’d⁠—"Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"

I recall pausing on my path to observe a Potter working his moist clay, and the clay, though its voice was nearly gone, whispered, 'Please, friend, handle me softly.'

_The clay's plea for gentle treatment echoes themes of mortality and the fragility of life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters/xxxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rub_iy_t_of_omar_khayy_m_se/chapters