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

Then let him die in Night's black hour,

And freely breathe in Dawn again.

Invocation
III.

Soul of mine, thou dawning Light: Be not far, O be not far!

Love of mine, thou Vision bright: Be not far, O be not far!

Life is where thou smilest sweetly; Death is in thy parting look;

Here mid Death and Life's fierce fight: Be not far, O be not far!

I am East when thou art rising; I am West when thou dost set;

Bring Heaven's own radiant hues to sight: Be not far, O be not far!