Sa'di in Love : The Lyrical Verses of Persia's Master Poet

"In the breath that I die, for you I'll be longing/ Wishing to turn into the dust of your belonging' - Sa'di, Expressions of Love. With poetry which speaks across the ages, Sa'di (1210-1281) is a vital classical poet and a towering figure of the medieval Persian canon. Comparable in skill and stature to other Persian poets such as Ferdowsi, Hafez, Rumi and Omar Khayyam, Sa'di's verses--best known through his 'Bustan' and 'Golestan' address universal themes of passion, love and the human condition in works which are both psychologically perceptive and beautifully crafted. His mystical writings, contemporaneous with Rumi, reveal a degree of depth, wisdom and insight which have placed Sa'di in the pantheon of world literature. In this essential new translation of Sa'di's work, leading expert on Iranian studies Homa Katouzian seeks to bring the poet's lyrics to a new readership. The book provides the Persian text and Katouzian's English translation side-by-side, creating an indispensible tool for students and enthusiasts of Iranian history, literature and culture."--Bloomsbury Publishing Front Cover Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface and acknowledgements Introduction: Sa‘di and love Expression of love Love’s secret I was not yet born... Love at the dawn of Resurrection Lover’s humility The pain of love Love and patience The turn of loving Inadequacy of reason I am just this raiment Dove and hawk I shall not repent Captive to love On his knees What fault? A tale told at every corner Let me not be Selfless love Poor reason How sweet is your poetry I am not worth the dust beneath your feet Harder than stone I still feel young No joy in living without you The heartbreak of your love When a friend is the enemy Unless you cover your face Only ashes beyond the burning I did not invent love I cannot repent of loving you Let your presence light up Sa‘di’s eyes I’ve broken my vows Sa‘di’s name stood for loving Site of Ka’ba Love in spring I am wonderstruck Moon-face sapling Trails of mystery Descriptions of the beloved ...Your naked body Sugar and honey Miracle and grace The sweetness of her mouth The ruby of your lips Sweet sugary lips No portrayal does your face justice Union I see flowers everywhere Passion for love In the beloved’s embrace Being with the beloved Discovery of a treasure Engulfed in fire like Abraham Your faith is yours and mine is mine Night of union The beloved’s breast Beggar and lord Alchemy of love In union with my lover Separation A night of loneliness Separation is unbearable sorrow Shattered mirror Where is that dawn? Always drunk Prisoner of love Forlorn captivity Abode of the free Vengeance constrained Absent presence Where are my drinking companions? The pull of desire Simorgh and the magpie Ceremonies of farewell I came to you like a nightingale I miss you so much Ethical/mystical The place of humanity The kingdom of beggars Martyr to love Let him fall... The foundation of being The same fate shall befall you The world of dervishes Notes Index of first lines