Upon a morn, a glorious morn of June, When eastern light, with many colored charm, Tinted the gentle birth throes of the year; And streams with ardent longing ran their race, And cloudless azure floated o’er the world, The rose and tulip oped their petals wide, Within a garden fair as paradise, Where sand and soil were clothed in dazzling green. All earth was blushing in the morning ray, As if a second Eden had arisen. The tulips ranged along the mountain walls, Held up their chalices with eager hands. And all the flowers were waking out of sleep, And day was changing watch with vanished night. Narcissus flowers had filled their golden cups, Stanching their thirst in draughts of diamond dew. Each rose within the garden seemed a king, And every floweret was a belted knight. The nightingales were sighing in the grove, And deep delight the stream and forest filled. The cypresses were bending in their dance, And all the world was radiant with joy. Within the garden stood a company Of friends, on joy and recreation bent; For great and small, either by night or day, In pleasure banquets to that garden came. But I within the wood remained aloof, And wandered, lost in solitary thought. Then came to me a man of a refined And gentle aspect, and of noble race. For many a year this friend of mine had laughed And wept with me, in pleasure or in pain. Then said he, “Friend of mine, arouse thyself.” Nor dally here in listless indolence, For spring has tinted bright the dewy world, And God’s enchantments fill the garden glade; On the world’s leaf he writes the message clear: “Oh, come and see God’s monument on earth! Why tarriest thou? Behold this circling realm! How beautiful is earth--’tis paradise. For vernal life revives the blooming year, And if thou live the thought must raise thy heart.” I, as I heard these pleadings of my friend, By his benignant influence was swayed. Into the garden as he led the way, I entered; there a grove of roses stood. We crossed a level area, where we saw The scene adorned with flowering elder-trees. The place was noble, for the hillside shone With the fresh loveliness of Eden’s bower. Such scenes unlock the heart and make it glad, And over all they spread the balm of peace. The fresh blown roses hung on every side; From every copse the nightingales were heard. And in this place of beauty marvellous A thousand words passed swift ’twixt friend and friend, And kindly greetings rose, and hearts were soothed With genial conversation; poesy Lent to the converse of the band her charm, And prose and verse alternately they quote; Mesnevi’s tale was subject of debate; And meaning and expression were discussed. Then with my friend I held a colloquy;