On the wall in local historian Ian Addis' grandparent's

I messed up the spacing, was thinking about Hyacinths.

'If thou of fortune be bereft

And of thine earthly store hath left

Two loaves, sell one, and with the dole

Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul.'

That takes me back. The Russian translator where I used to work copied this our for me when I married. I think I still have a copy somewhere.

Hi Diane, this sounds as though it's from the rubayat of Omar Kayam, only slightly different wording, in the rubayat it goes; If of thy worldly goods thou art bereft, and of thy meagre store, 2 loaves alone to thee are left, sell 1, and with the dole, buy Hyacinth's to feed thy soul.

My late wife wrote this in a gardening book she bought me about 40 years ago, so now whenever I buy someone a gardening book, I write this in it, Derek.

What beautiful words :)

Amazing to know others knew this verse too !
Thanks Derek, Stera, and Pam.

Oh yes Derek, that's the version I had, I'd forgotten.
Didn't realise it was from the Rubayat - hate to think how may years it is since I read that! Will you be buying hyacinths this winter Diane?

How nice. Lovely thought Derek.

Lovely quote, Diane and Derek. I had forgotten it also.

Derek, I very much like your idea to replicate the poem in gifts of gardening books, I think I will do the same.