This quatrain owes its origin to three separate ruba'iyat, viz.: O. 135 (ll. 3 and 4) C. 500 (ll. 1 and 2), C. 481 (ll. 3 and 4).
Sit in the shade of the rose, for, by the wind, many roses
Have been scattered to earth and have become dust.
Ref.: O. 135, L. 671, B. 663, S.P. 366, B. ii. 483, T. 277.—W. 414, N. 370, V. 720.
By the coming of Spring and the return of December[30]
The leaves of our life are continually folded.
Ref.: C. 500, L. 745, B. 731, P. 242, S.P. 397, B. ii. 531.—W. 444, N. 402, V. 797.
For it has flung to earth a hundred thousand Jams and Kais,[31]
This coming of the first-summer-month and departing of the month December.
Ref.: C. 481, L. 712, B. 701, S.P. 449, P. 216, B. ii. 603.—W. 484, N. 455, V. 764.
Well, let it take them! What have we to do
With Kaikobad the Great, or Kaikhosru?
Let Zal[32] and Rustum bluster as they will,
Or Hatim call to supper—heed not you.