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Love and Devotion: From Persia and Beyond

Love and Devotion: From Persia and Beyond

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Rumi's Masnavi: poetry reading

Rumi's Masnavi: poetry reading

2:01

Actor Helen Morse reads from Rumi's Masnavi, translated by Reynold A Nicholson.

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.

Rumi's Masnavi: poetry reading transcript


From the Masnavi of Rumi, translated by Reynold A Nicholson

Listen to the reed how it tells a tale, complaining of separations –
Saying,'Ever since I was parted from the reed-bed, my lament hath caused man and woman to moan.
I want a bosom torn by severance, that I may unfold (to such a one) the pain of love-desire.
Every one who is left far from his source wishes back the time when he was united with it.
In every company I uttered my wailful notes, I consorted with the unhappy and with them that rejoice.
Every one became my friend from his own opinion; none sought out my secrets from within me.
My secret is not far from my plaint, but ear and eye lack the light (whereby it should be apprehended).
Body is not veiled from soul, nor soul from body, yet none is permitted to see the soul.
This noise of the reed is fire, it is not wind: whoso hath not this fire, may he be naught!
'Tis the fire of Love that is in the reed, 'tis the fervour of Love that is in the wine.'

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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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Love and devotion exhibition preview
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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