When Edward FitzGerald translated Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, he gave it a fatalistic spin but softened Khayam’s nihilism. Living in an age seduced by orientalism, the late 19th century Western readers of Rubaiyat found that it had an exotic appeal.
Khayam’s poems became so popular that in the great tradition of the American spoof many parody works were created.
Amongst these are:-
THE RUBAIYAT OF A PERSIAN KITTEN
THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM, JR.
The last being one of the most popular, and written by Wallace Irwin.
Wallace Irwin made up this farce that Khayam had a son (Omar Khayam Junior) who emigrated
from Persia to Borneo!
His honour was ruined by his Dad’s obsession for wine!
The spoof book is available online. Wallace keeps the joke going all the way!
Enjoy:-
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5408
