The Mesnevī, Book the First

Jalálu’d-Dín Rúmí (1881)

The first book of Rúmí’s Mesnevī in Redhouse’s complete rhymed translation (1881), with his selection of anecdotes from Eflākī’s Acts of the Adepts.

The complete text: Redhouse’s preface, the anecdotes from the Acts of the Adepts, and the whole of Book the First with his notes, 434 pages in the print edition. Translated by James W. Redhouse. Free to read.

• Translator’s Preface
• Selected Anecdotes
• Chapter I: Bahā’u-’d-Dīn, Veled, Sultānu-’l-‘Ulemā
• Chapter II: Seyyid Burhānu-’d-Dīn, Sirr-Dān
• Chapter III: Mevlānā Jelālu-’d-Dīn, Muhammed
• Chapter IV: Shemsu-’d-Dīn, Tebrīzī
• Chapter V: Sheykh Salāhu-’d-Dīn, Ferīdūn
• Chapter VI: Chelebī Husāmu-’d-Dīn, Hasan
• Chapter VII: Bahā’u-’d-Din, Sultān Veled
• Chapter VIII: Chelebī Emīr ‘Ārif
• Chapter IX: Genealogical
• The Book of the Mesnevī
• Preface
• Tale Proem: The Reed-Flute
• Tale I: The Prince and the Handmaid
• Tale II: The Oilman and the Parrot
• Tale III: The Jewish King, Persecutor of the Christians
• Tale IV: Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians
• Tale V: The Lion and the Beasts
• Tale VI: The Greater (Spiritual) Warfare
• Tale VII: The Merchant and the Parrot
• Tale VIII: The Harper
• Tale IX: The Poor Scenite Arab and his Wife
• Tale X: Patience and Perseverance under a Teacher
• Tale XI: The Lion’s Hunt, in Company
• Tale XII: Joseph and the Mirror
• Tale XIII: The Prophet’s First Amanuensis
• Tale XIV: The Chinese and Roman Artists
• Tale XV: Zeyd’s Inspiration
• Tale XVI: Ali’s Forbearance
• Tale XVII: Conclusion