The Beharistan (Abode of Spring); A Literal Translation from the Persian (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 Excerpt: ... FIFTH GARDEN Record of the tender state of nightingales of the meadow of love, and affection, and the fluttering of the wings of butterflies of the congregations of desire and friendship. It is quoted in tradition as a saying of the prophet that "He who loves, remains chaste, restrains his passion, and dies, has died a martyr." The merit of chastity and restraint consists in bridling the lusts of physical nature, which, if indulged in, manifest themselves as animal passions and not as the excellencies of the human soul: --Verses: That love, which is one of the special virtues of man, Must wherever it arises, be kept chaste and restrained. The love which follows nature and sensual appetite Is a quality of the natures of animals and beasts of prey. Story. Two intelligent men were conversing about love. One of them said: --" Trouble and pain are peculiarities of love; a lover is at all times enduring trouble and suffering distress." The other replied: --" Hush Hast thou never seen reconciliation after quarrel. or never tasted the joy of union after separation? None in the world are more agreeable than those who cultivate love with pure hearts, and more coarse than stolid persons who never felt its charms." Verses: Beauty is only a ray of the mistress's love. When will a man's heart Be attracted by the beauty of one whose heart is not affectionate 1 Should an ignorant man ask for a reason of this law A sufficient one is, that kindred natures sympathise. Story. During the time of his own Khalifate, Sadig Akbar (may Allah be pleased with him) was walking about in the lanes of Madinah, and happened to pass near a house from which he heard sounds of lamentation, and beheld a woman reciting the following distichs, whilst hot tears fell from her eyes: --Verses: 0 thy s...