Excerpt from Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, the Astronomer-Poet of Persia: Translated Into English Verse His Takhallus or poetical name (khayyfim) signifies a Tent-maker, and he is said to have at one time exercised that trade, perhaps before N iaém-ul-mulk's generosity raised him to independence. Many Persian poets similarly derive their names from their occupations; thus we have Attsr, a druggist. Assar, an Oil presser, &c. (though all those, like our Smiths, Archers, Millers, Fletcher's, rte. May simply retain the Sirname Of an hereditary calling.) Omar him self alludes to his name in the following whimsical lines