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 gypsy,
Why hasten away?
Last week in Babylon,
Last night in Rome,
Morning, and in the crush
Under Paul's dome;
Under Pauls' 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 gypsy man,
Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day?
1. Have you ever seen a gipsy? If yes, where?
Yes, I’ve seen a group of gypsies in my uncle’s village. I saw them on some peculiar boat floating on the river. They are called “River gypsies” or “Bedey”. These gypsies are basically snake charmers.
2. Do gypsies live in our country?
Yes, Gypsies, especially river gypsies are a small ethnic group in Bangladesh. They are known as “River gypsies” or “Bedey” to local people. They have their own lifestyles and culture.
3. In what ways are they different from the general people?
They are different from the general people in several ways. For example, their dress, food habit, language etc. are different from those of general people. Besides, they do not have any fixed living place like general people. They live in boats, tents etc. Besides, they are snake charmers. They also sell herbal medicines.
4. Why do you think the poet calls time the ‘old gipsy man’?
The poet calls time the ‘old gipsy man’ because the gipsy man keeps on travelling in caravans. They never settle anywhere. Similarly, time also keeps on passing and does not stop anywhere.
5. Make a list of things of the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day.
1. The poet will offer rich and beautiful gifts like silver bells for Time's donkey.
2. A golden ring made by goldsmiths.
3. Peacocks and children singing
4. Finally, sweet girl’s welcome with flowers.
These gifts symbolize the speaker's desire to entice time to stay and reward him for doing so.
6. What else can you offer time if it stays for a day?
I can offer time a nice cup of coffee!
A treat in Kachhi Dine!
A walk beside the river!
I can offer him a good music!
7. Why does the speaker call time an " Old Gypsy Man"?
The speaker personifies time as a "gypsy" to emphasize its wandering, unpredictable, and transient nature. Just like a gypsy who moves from place to place without staying in one place for long, Time is always passing and never settle. The term suggests that time is like a free traveler, always on the move.
8. What does the speaker wish time would do?
The speaker wishes that Time would stay for just one day, putting up its caravan and pausing its journey. The speaker hopes to slow Time down, even if just for a brief moment, to enjoy the present.
9. What is the speaker’s ultimate plea to time?
The speaker’s ultimate plea is for Time to stay for just one day, to take a break and rest. The speaker wants to hold onto the present moment and is desperate for Time to slow down, even if for a short period of time.
10. Why does the speaker describe Time as hastening away in "Time, You Old Gypsy Man"?
The speaker describes Time as "hastening away" to convey its fleeting and unstoppable nature. Time is always moving forward, never pausing, which emphasizes the speaker’s desire to slow down Time, even for just one day. This creates a sense of urgency and longing to hold onto the present.
