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The Rubáiyát of Bridge

The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayamm is one of the most poetic texts of all time: Even if you only ever read the book in one of its many translations, the poetry that you’ll find in it is one of very few poetry collections that translate to many languages just fine – and remains just as striking in several tongues.

It’s a personal favorite of mine, and I was delighted to discover a little book called The Rubáiyát of Bridge.

The Original Rubáiyát

The original Rubáiyát text hails from Persia, but one of the most popular translations was by Edward Fitzgerald, released 1859.

There are several versions of the book, some containing a few more verses than others.

The term “rubáiyát” describes a specific form of poetry, much like villanelles or sonnets.

The ones contained in the original Omar Khayyam text are wonderfully poetic (and I imagine, perfect as many a serenade the world over from people hopelessly in love).

The Rubáiyát of Bridge

The Rubáiyát of Bridge was first published in 1909 thanks to author Carolyn Wells and illustrator May Wilson Preston.

Carolyn Wells was a particularly prolific writer: At the time of her death in 1942, she had written more than 170 books (and I’d presume most of them good ones).

Among others, she also penned the Fleming Stone mysteries as well as several series’ aimed at younger readers that included Dorrance Family, Two Little Women and Patty Fairfield.

Having been born far outside of 1909, I find the book vaguely reminiscent of MAD parody cartoons, often also in rhyme (but written a few hundreds earlier). It’s also a fair bridge-themed tribute to the original.

The bridge book inspired by the great astronomer-poet’s equivalent might be short, but there are a few definite gems contained in the pages, including this one:

            I sometimes think there’s never such Tirade
           
As where some Bridge Game has been badly Played.
           
When Some One thinks you should have made no Trump,
           
And you have thriftily declared a Spade!

If you’re any kind of bridge player (at any kind of playing level), you’ll have a laugh and/or chuckle at the wisdom in Rubáiyát of Bridge. It might even make you think.

The poetry is just as relevant today to life and bridge as it was back when it was first published.