JM: A.Bouazza's original posting to the N-List
(December 2006) had escaped my recollection - and
it is now enriched by
your additional information on "Burgess' article 'Omar and Graves', which is
to be found in his Urgent Copy ." - so all pertinent facts on "Khayyam & VN"
are now present in the List.
Abdel's past indications can be used as a
reply to S.K-B's objections, and this is why I'll
quote excerpts from it:
"It would be fair to
say that FitzGerald's version, which he revised five times, was
inspired by or based on
rather than rendered from. Perhaps a
Victorian reincarnation of sorts? It does not give an accurate
idea of the original (the original in this case being disparate poems), but will
always retain its place in English literature because of its poetical charm and
elegance[...] Payne aptly describes FitzGerald's Quatrains as
a "méditation sur des motifs d'Omar Kheyyam," [...]
More
faithful versions followed, even one by Robert Graves in collaboration
with Omar Ali Shah, although it is believed that their version is
based on forged manuscripts, which Anthony Burgess reviewed;
and VN alluded to his review when he wrote:"Anthony Burgess in
Encounter has suddenly and conclusively abolished my sentimental
fondness for FitzGerald..."("Reply to My Critics," Strong Opinions
p. 246).