Re: 波斯纪行:大不里士 | Apr 30 2003- The stanza structure of this lyric, which loosely patterns a rhythmic formation of xyaa and, occasionally, aabb, is a skillful choice for depicting this kaleidoscopic landscape. Ideally, each stanza would function as a independent module or bead, while at the same time, following the string of the poetic narration, connecting to the preceding and following stanzas. The much famed Fitzgerald's version of Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam could be used as a good model for the further refinement of the present stanza structure and functionality, despite the noticeable differences here and there. The rubaiyat also uses the four-line structure, although it adopts a much more restrictive, yet highly rhythmic, pattern of aaba. In many ways, it resembles the classic Chinese poetic style of Qi1 Jue2. Although there is probably no apparent nor inherent connection between the rubaiyatical style or its progeny, and its adequacy in portraying life in ancient Arabic or Persian culture, a stanza thus structured, when used to recapture a moment in the remote past in that culture, does have a rich poetic connotation that resonates well the reader.