The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám · Chapter
X explained
The speaker dismisses the legendary heroes of the past, urging a focus on the present rather than the tales of ancient figures like Kaikobád, Kaikhosrú, Zál, Rustum, and Hátim.
What happens
The speaker dismisses the legendary heroes of the past, urging a focus on the present rather than the tales of ancient figures like Kaikobád, Kaikhosrú, Zál, Rustum, and Hátim.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Themes in this chapter
- Carpe Diem
The speaker urges ignoring past glories and focusing on the present moment.
Characters to notice
- Omar Khayyám
Speaker of the quatrain, dismissing past heroes.
Key passages
“Well, let it take them! What have we to do With Kaikobád the Great, or Kaikhosrú? Let Zál and Rustum bluster as they will, Or Hátim call to Supper—heed not you.”
Let time consume those ancient heroes; they are irrelevant to us. Pay no attention to the boasts of Zál and Rustum or the call of Hátim.
The speaker dismisses legendary figures to emphasize living in the now.
