Time, You Old Gipsy Man

Ralph Hodgson 

Time, you old gipsy man,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for one day?

All things I’ll give you

Will you be my guest,

Bells for your jennet

Of silver the best,

Goldsmiths shall beat you

A great golden ring,

Peacocks shall bow to you,

Little boys sing.

Oh, and sweet girls will

Festoon you with may.

Time, you old gipsy,

Why hasten away?

Last week in Babylon,

Last night in Rome,

Morning, and in the crush

Under Paul’s dome;

Under Paul’s dial

You tighten your rein—

Only a moment,

And off once again;

Off to some city

Now blind in the womb,

Off to another

Ere that’s in the tomb.

Time, you old gipsy man,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for one day?

সময়, তুমি বুড়ো যাযাবর
রাল্‌ফ হজসন

সময়, তুমি বুড়ো যাযাবর,
একটুখানি কি থামবে না এবার?
তোমার গাড়ি থামাও না হয়,
স্রেফ একদিনের জন্য এইবার।

সবকিছু আমি তোমায় দেব,
একবার যদি হও অতিথি আমার।
তোমার ঘোড়ার ঘণ্টা বাজবে
সেরা রূপার, ঝলমলে ভার।
সোনার আংটি গড়বে কারিগর,
ময়ূর তোমায় করবে প্রণাম,
ছোট ছোট ছেলেরা গাইবে গান।
সুন্দরী মেয়েরা সাজাবে তোমায়
বসন্তের ফুলে, মালার বাহার।
ওহো, সময়, তুমি বুড়ো যাযাবর,
তুমি কেন এত তাড়ায় পলায়?

গত সপ্তাহে ছিলে ব্যাবিলনে,
গতরাতে ছিলে রোমে,
ভোরে ধাক্কাধাক্কিতে
পলের গম্বুজের তলে;
পলের ঘড়ির নিচে
তুমি টেনে ধরো রাশ—
এক মুহূর্ত থেমেই
আবার চলা শুরু সে আশ।
চলে যাও নতুন শহরের দিকে
যেটি এখনো জন্মেনি মাতৃজঠরে,
আর এক শহরে
যেটি পৌঁছেছে কবরের গহ্বরে।

সময়, তুমি বুড়ো যাযাবর,
একটুখানি কি থামবে না এবার?
তোমার গাড়ি থামাও না হয়,
স্রেফ একদিনের জন্য এইবার।

Theme: The poem explores the unstoppable, mysterious, and fleeting nature of time, comparing it to a wandering gipsy who never stays in one place. The speaker pleads with time to pause and enjoy the beautiful things life offers, but time is always on the move. This reflects human longing for stillness and control in the face of time’s relentless passage.

থিম: এই কবিতায় সময়ের অপ্রতিরোধ্য, রহস্যময় এবং ক্ষণস্থায়ী প্রকৃতি তুলে ধরা হয়েছে, যেখানে সময়কে এক ঘুরে বেড়ানো যাযাবরের সাথে তুলনা করা হয়েছে, যে কখনোই কোথাও থামে না। কবিতার বক্তা সময়কে অনুরোধ করে যেন সে থেমে যায় এবং জীবনের সৌন্দর্য উপভোগ করে, কিন্তু সময় সবসময়ই চলতে থাকে  এই চিত্র মানুষের সেই চিরন্তন আকাঙ্ক্ষাকে প্রকাশ করে—যেখানে মানুষ সময়ের নিরলস প্রবাহের মাঝে থেমে থাকার ও নিয়ন্ত্রণের আশায় থাকে।

Summary: In the poem, time is portrayed as an old gipsy man who constantly moves from place to place. The speaker offers riches, beauty, and joy in hopes of persuading time to stay for just one day. Despite the temptations, time rushes from city to city, from birth to death, never stopping. Even majestic places like Babylon and Rome cannot hold him for long. The poem ends where it began—with a heartfelt plea for time to pause, revealing our human desire to hold on to moments that slip away.

সারাংশ: এই কবিতায় সময়কে একটি বুড়ো যাযাবরের রূপে কল্পনা করা হয়েছে, যে চিরকালই চলমান। কবি তাকে থামানোর জন্য সোনা, রূপা, গান আর ভালোবাসা দিতে চাইলেও সময় থামে না। সে এক শহর থেকে অন্য শহরে ছুটে চলে, জন্ম আর মৃত্যুর মাঝখানে। ব্যাবিলন বা রোমের মতো মহান শহরও তাকে ধরে রাখতে পারে না। শেষে কবি আবারও অনুরোধ করেন যেন সময় একটু থামে—কিন্তু সে চলে যায়, যেমন যায় প্রতিটি মুহূর্ত।

Answer the following questions.

(a) Why does “Time, you old Gipsy man” suggest about the inevitability of change?

(b) What’s the moral of the poem “Time you old Gipsy man”?

(c) What is the tone of the poem “Time, You Old Gipsy Man”?

(d) How does the poet connect time to cities and civilizations?

(e) What is the significance of time being compared to a ‘Gipsy Man’?

(f) Why does the poet call time an ‘old gipsy man’?

(g) Make a list of things the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day.

(h) What else can you offer time if it stays for a day?

(i) Identify and explain a metaphor used in the poem.

(j) How does the poet portray time’s movement?

(k) What emotions does the poet express towards time?

(l) Why does the poet refer to cities like Babylon and Rome in the poem?

(m) What imagery does the poet use to describe time?

(n) What does the poet mean by the line “Off to some city now blind in the womb”?

(o) How does the poet appeal to time to stay?

(p) What lesson about time does the poem convey?

(q) If you could ask time to stay, what would you do with the extra time?

Answer

(a) The phrase “Time, you old Gipsy man” suggests the inevitable passage of time and the constant changes that come with it. The poet personifies time as an old gypsy, emphasizing the unpredictability and unstoppable nature of time, which brings both growth and decay.

(b) The moral of the poem is that time is unstoppable, and it will continue to move forward, regardless of human actions. It encourages us to embrace time’s passage and make the most of the moments we have.

(c) The tone of the poem is one of frustration and impatience. The speaker addresses time as an “old gypsy man,” personifying it as a figure who relentlessly moves forward, taking away youth and opportunities.

(d) The poet connects time to cities and civilizations by highlighting the transient nature of both. Cities rise and fall, and civilizations fade, all under the inevitable passage of time, which is indifferent to human achievements.

(e) Comparing time to a “Gipsy Man” suggests time is unpredictable, wandering, and uncontrollable. It reflects the fleeting and restless nature of time, which cannot be tamed.

(f) The poet calls time an “old gypsy man” because, like a gypsy, time is constantly on the move, wandering from place to place without settling anywhere. Time is portrayed as ageless and elusive, always hastening away and beyond human control.

(g) The poet offers the following to time:

• Bells of silver for its jennet (a small horse).
• A great golden ring crafted by goldsmiths.
• Peacocks bowing in admiration.
• Little boys singing.
• Sweet girls festooning it with may (flowers).

(h) If time stays for a day, I could offer:

• A day of peace and tranquility without rushing.
• Moments of laughter and joy shared with loved ones.
• Beautiful poetry and art dedicated to its existence.
• Gratitude for the chance to appreciate and cherish a still moment.

(i) The phrase “Time, you old gipsy man” is a metaphor. Here, time is compared to a wandering gypsy, suggesting its restless, transient nature as it continuously moves forward without staying in one place.

(j) The poet portrays time’s movement as relentless and unstoppable. It is depicted as constantly moving from one place to another, never pausing, as illustrated in the lines about visiting cities like Babylon and Rome and moving to places yet to exist.

(k) The poet expresses a mix of longing and frustration toward time. There is a desire for time to pause and let moments be savored, but also an acknowledgment of its inevitable and unstoppable nature.

(m) The poet uses imagery such as a caravan, golden rings, peacocks bowing, and gypsies wandering to depict time as a vibrant and restless traveler who moves without pause.

(n) The poet refers to a city “blind in the womb” to describe a place that does not yet exist. It highlights time’s role in moving towards the future, shaping places and events that are yet to be born.

(o) The poet appeals to time by offering valuable gifts like silver bells, a golden ring, and admiration from peacocks, boys, and girls. These offerings symbolize human attempts to control or persuade time, which ultimately fails.

(p) The poem teaches that time is unstoppable and beyond human control. It encourages readers to value the present moment, as time cannot be paused or persuaded to stay.

(q) If I could ask time to stay, I would spend it cherishing moments with loved ones, reflecting on personal growth, and creating meaningful memories. I would use the pause to fully appreciate the beauty of the present moment.