RUMI Selections from his Masnavi Translation & Introduction by Paul Smith The masnavi is the form used in Persian and other languages to write epic ballads or romances and it is essentially a Persian invention. The most famous poems written in this form are the 'Shahnama' (Book of the Kings) of Firdausi, the 'Enclosed Garden of the Truth' of Sana'i, the 'Five Treasures' of Nizami, the 'Conference of the Birds' and 'The Book of God' and many others by 'Attar, the 'Seven Thrones' of Jami, the ten masnavis of Amir Khusrau and of course the greatest of them all... the 'Masnavi' of Rumi. Many masnavis by the great Perfect Master Poets were of a Sufi/Dervish mystical nature. Included in this volume is a chapter on The Life, Times & Poetry of Rumi and one on the history of the masnavi in Persian poetry by the various masters in this form with translations of their works up until Rumi. From Rumi's Masnavi are his Introduction to the 6 volumes and the first three Tales in full and excerpts from the whole work, including some of his ribald tales. Selected Bibliography. The correct rhyme-form of the masnavi has been kept in all the translations. 260 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S VERSION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart."I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University."Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and screenplays. New Humanity Books amazon.com/author/smithpa