Qasida · 12th centuryDraft

When the Sun Enters Aries

Anvariانوری

جرم خورشید چو از حوت درآید به حمل

When the body of the sun passes from Pisces into Aries,

اشهب روز کند ادهم شب را ارجل

the grey steed of day gives white feet to the black steed of night.

کوه را از مدت سایهٔ ابر و نم شب

From the long shade of cloud and the dew of night, the mountain’s

پر طرایف شود اطراف چه هامون و چه تل

slopes, plain and hill alike, fill with rare and lovely things.

سبزه چون دست به هم درزند اندر صحرا

When the grasses join hands across the open country,

لاله را پای به گل در شود اندر منهل

the tulip’s foot sinks into the mud at the watering place.

ساعد و ساق عروسان چمن را بینی

You see the arms and legs of the meadow’s brides

همه بربسته حلی و همه پوشیده حلل

all hung with ornaments, all dressed in robes.

From: The Divan of Anvari
Translation: Persiahaus Editors [Draft translation]
Source: New translation

A note for readers

The opening of a spring qasida, a description of nature of the kind that in the qasida usually leads into praise of a patron. The sun’s entry into Aries marks the spring equinox and Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and the white-footed horse of night stands for the lengthening days. The excerpt gives the first four couplets.