The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

One of the best-known, most often quoted English classics. Edward FitzGerald's free translation of skeptical, hedonistic verse attributed to Omar Khayyám (1048–1122), Persian mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. The 5th edition incorporates FitzGerald's handwritten changes in the 4th edition, and is traditionally printed with the 1st edition. Notes explaining Persian names and unfamiliar terms.