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Love and Devotion: From Persia and Beyond

Love and Devotion: From Persia and Beyond

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Divan of Hafiz: poetry reading

Divan of Hafiz: poetry reading

2:09

Actor Helen Morse reads from the Divan of Hafiz, translated by Gertrude Bell.

This reading is part of a series of excerpts from the romantic stories and lyrical verse written or inspired by some of the great Persian poets of the past, as showcased in the Love and devotion: from Persia and beyond exhibition.

Divan of Hafiz: poetry reading transcript


Divan of Hafiz, translated by Gertrude Bell

Lady that hast my heart within thy hand,
Thou heed'st me not; and if thou turn thine ear
Unto the wise, thou shalt not understand –
Behold the fault is thine, our words were clear.
For all the tumult in my drunken brain
Praise God! who trieth not His slave in vain;
Nor this world nor the next shall make me fear!

My weary heart eternal silence keeps –
I know not who has slipped into my heart;
Though I am silent, one within me weeps.
My soul shall rend the painted veil apart.
Where art thou, Minstrel! touch thy saddest strings
Till clothed in music such as sorrow sings,
My mournful story from thy zither sweeps.

Lo, not at any time I lent mine ear
To hearken to the glories of the earth;
Only thy beauty to mine eyes was dear.
Sleep has forsaken me, and from the birth
Of night till day I weave bright dreams of thee;
Drunk with a hundred nights of revelry,
Where is the tavern that sets forth such cheer!

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Shakespeare's Sonnet no 54: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read Shakespeare's Sonnet no 54.
24:57
Charles Melville on the 'arts of the book' & diffusion of Persian culture: part 2
Professor Charles Melville discusses illustrated and richly illuminated manuscripts that address the themes of love and devotion.
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A preview of the Persian manuscripts that feature in Love and devotion, the Library's landmark 2012 exhibition.
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Susan Scollay on Persian poetry
Enjoy an insight into the exhibition Love and devotion as co-curator Susan Scollay reveals the beauty of Persian poetry.
17:17
Richard Ovenden on the Bodleian Libraries
Richard Ovenden discusses the Bodleian Libraries and the 'Love and devotion' exhibition.
1:23
Love and devotion poetry readings by Helen Morse
Actor Helen Morse introduces lyrical works written by the great Persian poets of the past.
23:44
Charles Melville on the 'arts of the book' & diffusion of Persian culture: part 1
Professor Charles Melville discusses illustrated and richly illuminated manuscripts that address the themes of love and devotion.
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Mammad Aidani on authenticity, devotion & friendship in Rumi's poetry
Dr Mammad Aidani explores contemporary ways of understanding the poetry of Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi.
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Zahra Taheri on women in Rumi's spiritual circle
In this lecture, Dr Zahra Taheri discusses the role of the feminine in the life and teachings of the mystic Sufi poet Rumi.
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Barbara Brend on the 'Khamsa' of Nizami & the 'Khamsa' of Amir Khusrau
Dr Barbara Brend discusses the illustrations in the 'Khamsa' of Nizami and the 'Khamsa' of Amir Khusrau.
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Cameron Douraghy on Rostam: Tales from the Shahnameh
Cameron Douraghy talks about the Rostam: Tales from the Shahnameh comic book series.
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Goethe's West-eastern Divan: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Goethe’s West-eastern Divan.
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Byron's Bride of Abydos: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Lord Byron's The bride of Abydos.
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Divan of Hafiz: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from the Divan of Hafiz.
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Dante's Divine comedy: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Dante's Divine comedy.
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Nizami's Layla and Majnun: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from the story of Layla and Majnun, as told in the Khamsa of Nizami.
2:19
ʿAttar's Conference of the birds: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from ʿAttar's Conference of the birds.
2:01
Rumi's Masnavi: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Rumi's Masnavi.
2:42
Firdausi's Shahnama: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Firdausi's Shahnama.
2:22
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
1:23
Love and devotion poetry readings by Helen Morse
Actor Helen Morse introduces lyrical works written by the great Persian poets of the past.
2:22
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
2:42
Firdausi's Shahnama: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Firdausi's Shahnama.
2:01
Rumi's Masnavi: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Rumi's Masnavi.
2:19
ʿAttar's Conference of the birds: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from ʿAttar's Conference of the birds.
1:47
Nizami's Layla and Majnun: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from the story of Layla and Majnun, as told in the Khamsa of Nizami.
1:46
Dante's Divine comedy: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Dante's Divine comedy.
2:09
Divan of Hafiz: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from the Divan of Hafiz.
1:41
Shakespeare's Sonnet no 54: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read Shakespeare's Sonnet no 54.
1:49
Byron's Bride of Abydos: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Lord Byron's The bride of Abydos.
1:41
Goethe's West-eastern Divan: poetry reading
Hear Helen Morse read from Goethe’s West-eastern Divan.
40:53
Barbara Brend on the 'Khamsa' of Nizami & the 'Khamsa' of Amir Khusrau
Dr Barbara Brend discusses the illustrations in the 'Khamsa' of Nizami and the 'Khamsa' of Amir Khusrau.
40:52
Zahra Taheri on women in Rumi's spiritual circle
In this lecture, Dr Zahra Taheri discusses the role of the feminine in the life and teachings of the mystic Sufi poet Rumi.
46:39
Mammad Aidani on authenticity, devotion & friendship in Rumi's poetry
Dr Mammad Aidani explores contemporary ways of understanding the poetry of Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi.
23:44
Charles Melville on the 'arts of the book' & diffusion of Persian culture: part 1
Professor Charles Melville discusses illustrated and richly illuminated manuscripts that address the themes of love and devotion.
24:57
Charles Melville on the 'arts of the book' & diffusion of Persian culture: part 2
Professor Charles Melville discusses illustrated and richly illuminated manuscripts that address the themes of love and devotion.

Love & devotion in the UK

The Bodleian Libraries is showing its own presentation of the Love and devotion exhibition at the Exhibition Room, Bodleian Library, in Oxford, England, between 29 November 2012 and 28 April 2013.

Learn more about how you can visit this exhibition on the Bodleian Libraries website.

Conference

Love and devotion: Persian Cultural Crossroads

This two-day conference held in April 2012 featured distinguished international guests and Australian specialists exploring cultural convergences in literature, the arts and architecture, history and philosophy within Persia's cultural sphere and Europe, from the 11th century to the present day.

For information on keynote speakers & topics discussed, visit our conference page

Visit the exhibition

The Love and devotion exhibition took place from 9 March to 1 July 2012. In-depth information about the exhibits and themes can be found on this website.

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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Tel +61 3 8664 7000