From Artdaily.com.
A fragment of a pottery vessel of Persian provenance that dates to the Middle Ages (12th-13th centuries CE) was discovered in an archaeological excavation…in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The fragment is treated with a turquoise glaze and is adorned with floral patterns and a black inscription…on the neck of the vessel written in Persian.
It reads: “Was once the embrace of a lover that entreat”.
…The words are from the Rubaiyat, by the poet Omar Khayyam. Omar Khayyam was an astronomer, mathematician and one of the most famous Persian poets of the Middle Ages (11th-12th centuries CE).
The following is the complete translation of the poem:
Rubaiyat, by Omar Khayyam
این کوزه چو من عاشق زاری بوده است
This clay pot like a lover once in heat
در بند سر زل٠نگاری بوده”ŒØ³Øª
A lock of hair his senses did defeat
ایندسته Ú©Ù‡ بر گردن او Ù…ÛŒ”ŒØ¨ÛŒÙ†ÛŒ
The handle that has made the bottleneck its own seat
دستی”ŒØ³Øª Ú©Ù‡ برگردن یاری بوده”ŒØ³Øª
Was once the embrace of a lover that entreat
Not sure why it struck me as interesting.
Nah, you’re still loveable. And with a little projection (lest somebody else gets greatly offended), I could even throw together a few poetic lines for you.
I’m afraid my lovable days are over. *sniffle*
Are you trying to inspire someone to dedicate a love poem to you?