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

When I saw myself all Poison, I quaffed Life's Stream

as Antidote;

When I saw myself Lees turbid, Wine's clear Foam Bell

I sought for then.

When I saw myself all sour Fruit, I caught the ripening

Sunbeams' Glow;

When I saw myself droop feebly, the breezy Fell

I sought for then.

When I saw myself all blinded, the healing Power

of Jesus' Hand;