A WELCOME TO SPRING 117 



Let the tall cypress spread wide its branches ; 



Tell the news to the turtle-dove, that its bough is 

 again green. 



Whisper to the nightingale the joyful tidings, 



That the cradle of the rose is brought back to the 

 wine-house. 



From the face of the green lawn wash away the dust ; 



That, bathed, it may resume its pristine splendour ; 



On the head of the white rose with its snowy hair 



Cast a shade from the darkness of the musk-willow. 



The lip of the pomegranate stain with wine ; 



Gild the ground with the yellow violet. 



Give to the jessamine a salutation from the arghavan ; 



Direct the running streamlet toward the rose-bush. 



Behold again the newly-born children of the mead ! 



Draw not a line over that delicate drawing ! 



Others, like me, inspire with a love of the verdant ; 



Bear my salutation to every green thing ! 



How the mild air of the pleasure-ground is attrac- 

 tive to the soul ! 



How it sweetens to the heart our affections for our 

 friends ! 



The trees are blossoming on the borders of the 

 garden ; 



Every flower is lighted up with a lamp-like splen- 

 dour. 



To the tongue-tied bird its voice is come again, 



To its wing the soaring flight of the old days. 



Wake once more the melodies of the plaintive lute, 



Break forth into dancing, my dejected heart ! 



NIZAMI. 

 ( Translated from the Persian. ) 



