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

All Unbelief is Midnight, but Faith the Night-Lamp's glow;

Then see that no Thief cometh to steal thy Lamp when low.

Our Hope is for the Sunlight, from which the Lamp did shine;

The Light from which it kindled, still feeds its flame below.

But when the Sun hath risen, both Night and Lamp go out;

And Unbelief and Faith then, the higher Vision know.

O Night! Why art thou dreaming? O Lamp! Why flickerest so?

The swift Sun-horses panting, from East their fire-foam throw.

'Tis Night still in the shadow; the village Lamp burns dim;

But in Dawn's Splendour towering, the Peaks Heaven's Glory show.