Though much of what he wrote and did And though (unlike our bards) his task For all his endless Why and Whether, VERSES WRITTEN FOR THE MENU OF THE OMAR KHAYYÁM CLUB MAY 17, 1901 ALAAM TO OMAR! SALAAM We that meet to-night Have bid Black Care be banished, and invite The Rose, the Cup, the not-too-ancient Jest To help, and cheer us,-but beyond the Rest, Peaceful Digestion with its blissful Calm. Therefore to OMAR once again-SALAAM ! SALAAM TO OMAR! Life in truth is short, SALAAM TO OMAR! Many Things must go FOR "AN APPENDIX TO THE ROWFANT LIBRARY" (F. L. L. IN MEMORIAM) "HIS Books." Oh yes, his Books I know, Each worth a monarch's ransom; But now, beside their row on row, I see, erect and handsome, The courtly Owner, glass in eye, Where shall we meet his like again? Or where discern a verse so neat, POPE taught him rhythm, PRIOR ease, What modern bard would learn from these? The old régime departs,-departs; FOR A CHARITY ANNUAL N Angel-Court the sunless air Grows faint and sick; to left and right The cowering houses shrink from sight, Huddled and hopeless, eyeless, bare. Misnamed, you say? For surely rare Nay! the Eternities are there. Death at the doorway stands to smite; And Love has climbed that crumbling stair In Angel-Court. |