Chapter I: Preface

I desire to thank Mr. R. A. Nicholson for his kind and generous permission to use selections from his _Dīvāni Shamsi Tabrīz_, and also his publishers, the Cambridge Press. I am deeply indebted to Mr. E. H. Whinfield for allowing me to use quotations from his rendering of the _Masnavi_ (Trübner's Oriental Series). I also cordially thank Mr. John Hastie for giving me permission to quote a few passages from the late Rev. Professor Hastie's "Festival of Spring" (James Maclehose and Sons, Glasgow). The poems quoted from this volume are entitled: "Thy Rose," "I saw the Winter weaving," "Love sounds the Music of the Spheres," "The Souls Love-moved," and "The Beloved All in All." All the other translations from the lyrical poetry of Jalálu'd-Dín Rúmí are by Mr. R. A. Nicholson. To these gentlemen, and to those I have left unnamed, I tender my warmest thanks for their help, sympathy, and interest in my attempt to "popularise the wisest of the Persian Súfís."

F. HADLAND DAVIS.

LONDON,
_January_ 22, 1907.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I. ORIGIN OF SÚFÍISM
II. THE EARLY SÚFÍS
III. THE NATURE OF SÚFÍISM
IV. THE INFLUENCE OF SÚFÍISM
V. ANALYSIS OF THE RELIGION OF LOVE

THE LIFE AND WORK OF JALÁLU'D-DÍN RÚMÍ

I. LIFE
II. SHAMSI TABRĪZ
III. THE STORIES OF AL-AFLĀKÍ AND THE DEATH OF JALÁLU'D-DÍN RÚMÍ
IV. THE NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF JALÁLU'D-DÍN RÚMÍ'S POETRY

SELECTIONS FROM THE "DĪVĀNI SHAMSI TABRĪZ" SELECTIONS FROM THE "MASNAVI" APPENDIX: A NOTE ON PERSIAN POETRY

EDITORIAL NOTE

The object of the Editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West--the old world of Thought and the new of Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of Charity which neither despises nor fears the nation of another creed and colour.