Nature
O That a Fragrant Breath Might Reach
Translated by E. J. W. Gibb (1882) · From Ottoman Poems (1882)
O that a fragrant breath might reach the soul from early spring!
O that with warbling sweet of birds the groves once more might ring!
O that in melody the songs anew might rose-like swell!
That fresh in grace and voice the nightingale be heard to sing!
O that the New Year's Day were come, when, minding times gone by,
Should each and all from Time and Fate demand their reckoning!
In short, O BakhtI, would the early vernal days were here,
Then, 'midst the mead, ne'er should we part from brink of limpid spring.
Codex Note
Gazel.
Cite this poem
MLA
Bakhtî (Sultan Ahmed I). “O That a Fragrant Breath Might Reach.” Translated by E. J. W. Gibb. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bakhti/0/.
Chicago
Bakhtî (Sultan Ahmed I). “O That a Fragrant Breath Might Reach.” Translated by E. J. W. Gibb. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bakhti/0/.