PIERCING PEARLS: VOLUME ONE The Complete Anthology of Persian Poetry Court, Sufi, Dervish, Satirical, Ribald, Prison & Social Poetry from the 9th to the 13th century. Translations, Introduction and Notes by Paul Smith This 2 volume anthology is the largest anthology of Persian Poetry published. The introduction contains a history and explanation of all the forms used by the poets, a short history of the Persian language, Sufism in Persian Poetry & a Glossary of Sufi & Dervish Symbols plus a Selected Bibliography. With each selection of a poet is a brief biography plus a list of further reading. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these beautiful, often mystical poems. THE POETS: Abbas of Merv, Hanzalah, Firuz, Abu Salik, Abu Shakur, Junaidi, Shahid, Rudaki, Agachi, Rabi'a Balkhi, Khusravani, Manjik, Daqiqi, Mantiki, Umarah, Kisa'i, Firdausi, Baba Tahir, Farrukhi, Asjadi, Minuchihri, Gurgani, Unsuri, Abu Sa'id, Ibn Sina, Baba Kuhi, Nasir-i-Khusraw, Asadi, Azraqi, Qatran, Ansari, Al-Ghazali, Mas'ud Sad, Mu'izzi, Hamadani, Omar Khayyam, Sana'i, Sabir, Mahsati, Jabali, Vatvat, Anvari, Falaki, Hasan Ghaznavi, Suzani, Athir, Jamal al-din, Mujir, Khaqani, Mu'in, Zahir, Nizami, Ruzbihan, Baghdadi, 'Attar, Auhad ud-din Kermani, Kamal ad-din, Hamavi, Baba Afza, Rumi, Imami, Hamgar, Sadi, 'Iraqi. Pages 528. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss his fingertips." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author ). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Lalla Ded, Mu'in and many others, and poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays.