This Turkish poet's maxim, it will be observed, was "enjoy the present
day"--the _carpe diem_ of Horace, the genial old pagan. On the same
suggestive theme of Springtide a celebrated Turkish poetess, Fitnet
Khanim (for the Ottoman Turks have poetesses of considerable genius as
well as poets), has composed a pleasing ode, addressed to her lord, of
which the following stanzas are also from Mr. Gibb's collection:
The fresh spring-clouds across all earth their glistening pearls
profuse now sow;
The flowers, too, all appearing, forth the radiance of their beauty
show;
Of mirth and joy 'tis now the time, the hour, to wander to and fro;
The palm-tree o'er the fair ones' pic-nic gay its grateful shade
doth throw.
_O Liege, come forth! From end to end with verdure doth the whole
earth glow;
'Tis springtide once again, once more the tulips and the roses blow!_
Behold the roses, how they shine, e'en like the cheeks of maids
most fair;
The fresh-sprung hyacinth shows like to beauties' dark, sweet, musky
hair;
The loved one's form behold, like cypress which the streamlet's bank
doth bear;
In sooth, each side for soul and heart doth some delightful joy
prepare.
_O Liege, come forth! From end to end with verdure doth the whole
earth glow;
'Tis springtide once again, once more the tulips and the roses blow!_
The parterre's flowers have all bloomed forth, the roses, sweetly
smiling, shine;
On every side lorn nightingales, in plaintive notes discerning, pine.
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