The Festival of Spring, from the Díván of Jeláleddín / Rendered in English Gazels after Rückert's Versions, with an Introduction and a Criticism of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

by Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi

of San Francisco.

Light
I.

Until the glorious Sun hath vanquished Night,

The Birds of Day cower trembling with affright.

But lo! a bright glance bids the Tulip ope;

O Heart, awake thou too, in Duty's might.

The Sun's Sword sheds in reddening flush of Dawn

The Blood of Night, and puts the Foe to flight.

The Soul still full of sleep, dreams Night prevails;