Fifty Poems of Hfiz [Hardcover]

Arthur J. Arberry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 1947 | ISBN-10: 0521040396 | ISBN-13: 978-0521040396 | Edition: First Edition

Hāfiz, the greatest lyric poet of Persia, was first introduced to English readers in the translation by Sir William Jones in the latter half of the eighteenth century. The present selection (fifty poems, with their English poetical versions by fourteen different hands) has the double object of exhibiting the various aspects of Hāfiz' style and thought, and of representing how English scholars have attempted to render his poetry in their own language. Professor Arberry writes a long introduction, biographical and critical, suggesting fresh approaches to the study and some lines along which future research might with advantage be directed. The fifty Persian texts are printed first; these are followed by the English translations, and these again by the editor's notes on the texts.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Persian (translation)
Original Language: Persian --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Book Description

Hāfiz, the greatest lyric poet of Persia, was first introduced to English readers in the translation by Sir William Jones in the latter half of the eighteenth century. The present selection has the double object of exhibiting the various aspects of Hāfiz' style and thought, and of representing how English scholars have attempted to render his poetry in their own language.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; First Edition edition (January 2, 1947)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521040396
• ISBN-13: 978-0521040396
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,268,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hafiz of Shiraz was widely regarded as an infidel in his day. Today he is recognized in the East not only for the excellence of his poetry, but also as a Sufi illuminate. His major work, The Diwan, is found beside the Koran in the homes of the devout. In the West, Hafiz--a contemporary of Dante--is admired for his love-poetry; Goethe, among others, acknowledged his influence.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book you need to read on Hafiz, April 9, 2007

By 

Gogol (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fifty Poems of Hafiz (Paperback)

Not sure why amazon chose to present the opening sentences from this book because they in no way give any clue to its content. Not sure also about the numerous other books on Hafiz that are out and about and I would suspect that similar to Rumi they are so called 'new translations' (read re-writes of Arberry and others) or simply poems with no evidence to prove where they were taken from.

This on the other hand is (as the title says) a collection of 50 poems of the great Persian poet Hafiz presented both in Persian and English well sourced, quoting the original manuscripts and books used and features excellent notes to both the translation and the Persian text.

I would say if you really want to read the works of Hafiz and are concerned enough to want to know that you are actually reading Hafiz and not some opinionated rewrite then this is the book to buy.