“It was dark and every stone was ice-bound; there was not a green herb, but now the earth arrays itself anew. The winter was like a prison, the spring like a sun that rises in the night. Everything is merry and joyous; even the dew-bringing cloud thunders gently, spanning the earth with its bow and causing many swift rivers to flow, which, without distinction, throw into rapturous intoxication all places of the earth. “Terribly roar the streams that come down from the mountains, but, after strolling to and fro among the meadows in loving fashion, pass on to touch the face of the sea. “The birds sing sweetly; the swallow chants psalms, the lark comes, reciting the praise of the morning. All leap into life—plants, birds, beasts with their offspring; they all form themselves into one great flock and dance together. The flowers have assembled in the garden. The Nightingale, proclaiming the glad things of the great resurrection, also enters the garden, seeking the Rose. “When the time is ripe, she opens, and the other flowers, when they see the splendour of the Rose, run off, over hill and dale, and, from fear, lose their colour. The Nightingale is intoxicated with the sweet odour of the Rose. Then takes place a festival of nature and the Rose sings her own praise.” The original text of this poem is a real achievement as regards language, poetical expressions, and art, showing that Erzingatzi was a master of his craft. Erzingatzi was also the author of a long narrative poem, called Farman and Asman, recounting the love adventures of a Persian princess. This was composed at the request of a Syrian knight and shows some traces of Persian influence. Another long narrative poem of this writer, entitled A Girl’s Questions, seems to owe something to Arabic literature. Erzingatzi is also the author of many didactic poems. Here are a few stanzas from another of his poems:— “Waken from your dreams And behold, you that were sleeping, How through all the night They their sleepless watch are keeping. Ever circling round By the will of God who made them: And heaven’s arches wide To uplift and hold He bade them. “I awoke from sleep And a while I stood and waited. When the long night passed, When appeared the dawn belated,— Many stars of light Watching stood to greet the morning; Servants of our God, All the sky of night adorning. “Then a Star arose Near the Morning Star, in Heaven; Fairer than all stars, Radiance to that Star was given.