From: "A. Bouazza" <mushtary@YAHOO.COM>Subject: on translation
[FitzGerald's Rubaiyyat] will always retain its place in English literature because of its poetical charm and elegance
Dear A. Bouazza,
Thank you for your wonderful reply to my question. I certainly asked the right person. I will pursue some of the other translations you mention as well.
But I wonder if the popularity of the FitzGerald Rubaiyyat isn't also due to its philosophy. If I were an atheist and/or a drinker it should be the closest thing I would have to a bible. As it is, I find its philosophy almost irresistible.
Carolyn