ENG 470 / 570 Spring 2025

To my dearest wife, 

In celebration of our tenth anniversary, I present to you this book, with two translations of Rubáiyát, one of your favorite poems. 

Dearest Agnes, 

I am sorry for not responding to your letters sooner, work has taken up all my day. Business here in London has been good, but it takes much of my attention. I adore reading your letters, and I think it is fine that you are trying your hand at poetry. Remember when you would read from Keats or Wordsworth while we lay in the… more

My Dearest Little Artist,

I hope this package finds you, unharmed from the grasping hands of your greedy younger brother--I do not mean to scorn him, but the manner in which your mother has decided to raise that child, that is to say completely devoid of correction and guidance, leaves me little faith in the future… more

My friend Kenneth Teter,

You’re married! What a joy it is to celebrate your nuptials. I am giving you this book so you don’t forget your freedom! Do you remember our days exploring those brothels in New York? Well I chose this edition for you because it was published in New York! The very same city! And just look at… more

Dearest Herbert,

You will find alongside this letter a package containing the Rubaiyat of Doc Sifers. I’m sure you know that James Whitcomb Riley dedicated this book to me, but I’m afraid that I’m not vain enough to keep a book that was written about me in my library. I… more

My dearly beloved,

I wish to gift you this beautiful copy of my favorite poem, Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. You may be asking yourself why I might gift you a book of all things, for you prefer paintings to literature. This 1910… more

To my dear Allison,

First, I wish to apologize for not getting you a better gift, but this gift book was on sale, and after flipping through it, I thought you might fancy it. It’s a poem by a Persian named Omar Khayyám and translated by… more

[Return to Sender]

Dearest, 

I may not have much, my days long and arduous for so little pay, but I had enough to buy you this. I even spent an extra nickel for postage so I could know that this little book made its way safely into your arms, beholden to your gorgeous eyes. I… more

If you were to seek out a 1942 copy of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, translated by Edward FitzGerald and presented by Willy Pogány, you would find two different editions that fit this description. The first would be an incredibly ornate version bound in red leather, decoratively tooled and elaborately gilded. The second would be the edition housed in the Special Collections &… more

Dearest friend,

I am writing you this letter to accompany the copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám that I have spoken to you about previously. This copy has served me well, and so now, as you leave Boston to venture west, I’d like… more