The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

(translated by Edward Fitzgerald and by Robert Graves; Spoken Arts SA-965). Both the classic Fitzgerald and the recent Graves versions are given complete on this fascinating record, to the detriment, alas, of the latter. Robert Speaight and Maxine Audley read the familiar verses of the Tentmaker beautifully. Graves reads his own translation; perhaps it is more literal, but it also seems leaden.