Nicholson’s notes Nicholson’s comments about the language of verses refer to Rūmī’s original. Page references within these notes use the printed source pagination, not the page numbers of this edition. References such as “Book III, 1473” point to verse 1473 in another book of the Mathnawī . Persian script in variant-reading notes is omitted; accompanying English explanations are retained where intelligible. Variant-reading notes without a self-contained English explanation are omitted in full.
[xiii.1] In prose, by Ismá‘íl Anqiraví in his commentary entitled Fátiḥu ’l-abyát (Búláq, A.H. 1251 and Constantinople, A.H. 1289). A Turkish verse-translation by Sulaymán Naḥífí accompanies the Persian text in the Búláq edition of the Mathnawí (A.H. 1268). For Naḥífí (ob. A.H. 1151) see E. J. W. Gibb, History of Ottoman Poetry , vol. IV, pp. 78–85, where an account is given of the circumstances which led him to compose his version of the Mathnawí . Gibb’s description of it as “a literal and line for line rendering” seems to me to require much qualification. Return
[xiii.2] In prose, by Yúsuf b. Aḥmad al-Mawlawí in his commentary entitled al-Manhaj al-qawí (Cairo, A.H. 1289). Return
[xiii.3] I do not think that a complete prose translation in Hindustani has yet appeared, but there is one in verse, entitled Pírahan-i Yúsufí , by Muḥammad Yúsuf ‘Alí Sháh (Lucknow, 1889; Cawnpore, 1897). Return
[xv.1] Some day I hope to try in a volume of selected passages whether a translator of the Mathnawí may not merit the praise which Jerome bestowed on Hilary: “quasi captivos sensus in suam linguam victoris jure transposuit.” Return
[xv.2] Frequently too the terseness of the original demands expansion in order to bring out even the literal sense. The brackets in this version mark off what belongs to a strict rendering of the original text from what has been added for the purpose of explanation. I have not, however, been so pedantic as always to indicate the insertion of certain auxiliary parts of speech which an English translator would naturally use, though they are omitted in the Persian text. Return
[xvii.1] It may be said that this aim is inconsistent with the translator’s duty to write his own language idiomatically. That is true, and no compromise will unite the contraries, but I have done my best to combine them. Return
[3.1] Literally, “short in respect of the constructions (of its phraseology).” Return
[4.1] Literally, “a ṣiddíq , the son of a ṣiddíq (who was) the son of the ṣiddíq .” Return
[5.1] Literally, “rent our veils.” Return
[5.2] Literally, “(in) the bonds of.” Return
[7.1] Or, “my pearls and coral.” Return
[7.3] Literally, “that slave-girl from sickness.” Return
[8.1] Literally, “the moon-faced ones.” Return
[8.2] Literally, “amidst.” Return
[9.1] Literally, “beggar-faced ones.” Return
[13.2] Literally, “will soon be wedded to the object of his desire.” Return
[14.1] Literally, “one who exceeds the due measure” or “one who busies himself with vain things.” Return
[15.1] I.e. “on account of my beauty, which is not my real self.” Return
[18.1] The saints next in rank to the Quṭb , who is the head of the spiritual hierarchy. Return
[20.1] Literally, “in order that the birdcatcher may decoy.” Return
[23.2] The appetitive soul, “the flesh.” Return
[27.1] Literally, “through him the king had comforts.” Return
[29.1] I.e. “extinguish the sight which regards ‘other,’ see nothing but God.” Return
[31.1] Literally, “dry herbage.” Return
[43.1] Literally, “with face inverted,” i.e. directed towards base ends. Return
[44.1] Nafs , the appetitive soul, “the flesh.” Return
[45.1] Literally, “beside themselves.” Return
[46.1] Literally, “black-faced.” Return
[46.2] Literally, “roasted.” Return
[47.2] Literally, “the contrariety to thy nature.” Return
[47.3] Literally, “the fetter.” Return
[49.1] Literally, “he made injustice (to be) link on link, i.e. continuous.” Return
[52.1] The words rendered by “wretchedness” are kúr ú kabúd , “blind and blue.” Return
[57.1] I.e. “it is not the external features of a man that are praised in complimentary letters addressed to him.” Return
[59.1] Literally, “wrapped in a parable.” Return
[59.2] Literally, “has thrown me from the ass.” Return
[60.1] His heart, which guards and preserves the lessons of wisdom. Return
[62.1] The khutba is a prayer for the Prophet and the reigning sovereign, which forms part of the public worship of Moslems. Return
[62.2] Mohammed, being the last of the prophets, includes them all, as the final sum includes all the units of which it is composed. Return
[64.1] The place near the door, where visitors take off their shoes before advancing to the dais at the upper end of the room. Return
[65.1] Literally, “give me a (helping) hand,” i.e. “if thou wilt pardon my presumption and permit me to excuse myself, I will do so.” Return
[78.1] Literally, “liver.” Return
[79.1] Literally, “has seen flight and (Divine) bounty.” Return
[84.1] Literally, “in a veil.” Return
[91.1] Literally, “her gall-bladder burst.” Return
[94.1] Literally, “I swear not. ” See Wright’s Arabic Grammar , 3rd ed., vol. II, p. 305. Return
[95.1] Literally, “affirmation and negation.” Return
[98.1] Literally, nard , a kind of backgammon. Return
[98.2] Literally, “The Command (which is) ‘Be!’” Another reading is “O Thou who givest the Command.” Return
[99.1] I.e. Ḥalláj, who said “Ana ’l-Ḥaqq. ” Return
[103.1] Literally, “the headman of the village.” Return
[104.1] Literally, “do not roam round.” Return
[104.2] Literally, “accompanists.” Cf. Book III, 1473. Return
[106.1] I.e. the eye sees the light of the last lamp, but what really meets the eye is the light of the candle. Return
[110.1] “The exceedingly veracious woman,” a name given to ‘Á’isha. Return
[112.1] I.e. the wise man feels bitter remorse if he neglects the least opportunity of enriching himself with the spiritual blessings dispensed by the saints. Return
[115.1] Literally, “followers of signs (external evidences).” Return
[116.2] I.e. these miracles are a perpetual proclamation of the sovereignty of the true Religion. Return
[117.1] Literally, “the gall-bladder.” Return
[119.1] Literally, “became water.” Return
[120.1] I.e. “thou art absorbed in thy search, not in God.” Return
[126.2] Literally, “The day cold and snow—and then the clothes wet!” Return
[126.3] Literally, “wind of the moustache.” Return
[129.1] Alluding to a story told in Book IV, 3548 foll. Return
[129.2] Literally, “do not sell vinegar.” Return
[131.1] Literally, “sprang away from patience.” Return
[134.1] Literally, “in space and non-space.” Return
[135.2] I.e. it was the effect of the inward repudiation of Pharaoh by Moses, who was his opposite. Return
[136.1] I.e. “a control which you cannot avoid, whether you like it or not.” Return
[136.2] I.e. in the body of man, who is the microcosm. Return
[139.1] This verse, which interrupts the story, is addressed to the reader. The Qur’ánic text has been altered for metrical and other reasons. Return
[145.1] Literally, “went from its place.” Return
[145.2] I.e. like an only child, who is loved beyond measure. Return
[148.1] I.e. like the alphabet. Abjad is a mnemonic word composed of the Arabic letters equivalent to ABJD . Return
[149.1] Literally, “what indeed is the (ordinary) pearl (compared with this ‘pearl’ of ours)?” Pearls were supposed to be rain-drops caught by the oyster-shell. Return
[151.1] I.e. “in order that you may transmute the base metal of human nature and endue it with Divine qualities.” Return
[152.1] Literally, “the beauty of the gardener (not the charm of the garden) turned out to be his recreation.” Return
[152.4] Literally, “a full moon.” Return
[152.5] Literally, “I became the seat of honour.” Return
[154.2] I.e. the spirit, which has no spatial relations. Return
[155.1] Literally, “answering pleasantly.” Return
[155.2] Literally, “in becoming less.” Return
[159.1] Literally, “a Hindoo who does bad trade,” i.e. a reprobate whose dealings with God result in his perdition. Return
[160.1] I.e. “although thou hast attained to the uttermost degree of illumination.” Cf. Qur’án, xxiv, 35. Return
[163.1] Literally, “idol.” Return
[163.2] Literally, “O my two eyes.” Return
[164.1] I.e. “towards the right hand,” as is stated in Qur’án, xviii, 16. Return
[164.2] Literally, “by two existents.” Return
[165.2] Literally, “driving his ass.” Return
[168.1] The letters K and N, when united, make up the Creative Word KuN , “Be.” Return
[169.1] Literally, “the trial or calamity against which precautions are taken.” Return
[171.1] Cf. v. 3139 . But “our coin,” is perhaps the better reading. Return
[174.1] Literally, “how should it be a place for the tailor to display his skill in?” Return
[175.1] Literally, “has galloped with two horses.” Return
[176.1] Literally, “in the sight of this one and that one.” Return
[176.2] Literally, “the desert” or “the wide plain”; i.e. the barrier is invisible to the sensual eye. Return
[177.2] Literally, “do not make a nose.” Return
[179.1] I.e. “the gold, without words, seems to say.” Return
[180.1] Literally, “in the way (of God),” i.e. their slaughter is a religious act which God has sanctioned and approved. Return
[182.1] Literally, “polishers.” Return
[183.1] Literally, “one whose foot is very blest.” Return
[185.2] Literally, “the miḥráb or niche (of a mosque),” which shows the direction that the Moslem must face in prayer. Return
[186.2] Literally, “the Sage of a purdah.” The poet Saná’í is meant. Return
[186.3] Literally, “on every road.” Return
[187.3] Literally, “the men of heart.” Return
[187.4] Literally, “the men of body.” Return
[188.1] The title Ṣaḥíḥ is given to two works, by Bukhárí and Muslim, which contain well-authenticated Traditions of the Prophet. Return
[197.1] Literally, “withhold thy hand.” Return
[199.1] Literally, “liver.” Return
[200.1] Literally, “the Divine action in regard to you.” Return
[201.1] Literally, “after that.” Return
[201.2] Or, with incorrect rhyme, “by carrying faggots.” Return
[201.3] Or, with incorrect rhyme, “from (the realm of) infinity.” Return
[202.1] I.e. to act for God’s sake alone, without any regard to self-interest. Return
[207.1] Literally, “what of the liver? for the hard rock will become blood.” Return
[207.2] Literally, “livers.” Return
[207.3] Literally, “free, the son of the free.” Return
[208.3] Or, “many a man of mark.” Return
[211.1] I.e. “if God were to manifest His wrath instead of His mercy or His mercy instead of His wrath.” Return
[211.2] Literally, “the brethren of acquiescence.” Return
[212.2] Or, “played on it (and breathed life into it),” i.e. He cut the reed and made it a flute. Return
[212.3] Literally, “man-burning.” Return
[213.1] Literally, “its outward (aspect) is cut short.” Return
[213.2] And, by the same analogy, death opens a new world to the spirit. Return
[215.1] Literally, “collar.” Return
[215.3] Literally, “acting sincerely (towards God) was no more.” Return
Hidden Lantern