The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-10-04
JOSEPH AND ZULAIkHA.
A Bible story in Persian.

~
full review of the "Analysis and Speci-
mems of Joseph and Zulaikha, an His
torical- Romantic Poem, by the Persian
poet Jami, recently published by vii
Hams Il Norgate, and in the review
occur some interesting points relating
to the poet and the poem. Oriental
poetry, the critic holds, like Oriental
art, has It's own peculiar genius, and
the western mind must be trained be
fore it can enjoy or admire it, The
poem of Joseph and Zulaikha," one
of the gems of Persian poetry, by
Abderahman Ibn Ahmed-or, as he is
usually called, Nur-ed- din Jami, from
the place OF his births. perhaps, the
work most likely to be attractive,
| though we doubt whether the most
patient of readers could get through
the poem as whole, i'll spite of its
many beauties. The present modest
little brochure, which contains the
analysis of the story, which connected
specimens of the most interesting por-
| tons, is quite enough to satisfy an En-
glish reader.
Jami was born a. d. 1414, or of the
Hegira 81. He dedicated his whole
lie to literature, and appears to have
been very prolific writer; the titles
OF thirty-four of his works in prose
| and sixteen III poetry remain. He wrote
on all srlbJeets-history, religion, the
olOgy, morals, and numerous exposi-
tons of the mystical doctrines OF the
| branch of Northumberland to which
F.. he belonged. His strong mystic ten
denotes are very evident in his treat
ment of the present poem for, though
the story of the love of Joseph and
| Zulaikha is so ardent in its descrip
tions as to make the Song of Solomon
seem ''like snow in summer" still it is
evident throughout that deep mystic
meaning underlIes the whole The love
and sutferlngs Of Iulaikha are intended
to represent not alone an earthly pas
sion for lover, but the aspiration of a
human soul after its Maker-the pangs
Of separation, and the ardent desire for
reunion with the fountain of life and
source of ali good, from which it has
been banlshed to the wilderness of this
mortal life. The poem, however, is
not an allegory, but a very beautiful
and passionate romance. Zulaikha is
redeemed from the ignominy that has
been attached to her as the wife of
Potlphar," and Joseph comes out
with all the brilliancy with which
Eastern traditions have endowed him,
and which lies quite outside our Bible
history. His knowledge of magic
(Which he might have derived from
his mother), his superhuman beauty.
his love for Iulaikha (Which has it's re-
cord IN the Koran, and his wonderful
wisdom III Interpreting dreams and
foretelllng the future, all combine to
afford reason enough for ZuIaIkhas
frantic and ungovernable passion. The
poem OF "Joseph and Zulalkha" has
never yet been brought before the
English reader, although Prof Rosen-
welg has translated 1T into German.
Onentals always take their time about
| everything, and in the midst of the
strongest emotion of JOY or grief the Y
make lnnumerable dlgressions, and
stop to elaborate their metaphors and
Smiles with a minuteness that greatly
detrs cts from their freshness and suG
geStlyeness. This habit renders
Oriental poetry fatiguing to an Euro
pean reader.
After great deal of preliminary daI
lying with the sentiments of the story.
and before we are allowed to reach the |
presence of LulaIkha, we are artfulIy |
prepared to understand the magical |
and overwhelming influence by which |
the Moon of Canaan (Josepb) |
bore away reason from the brain of |
Aulalkha. The Orientals believe tina; |
Joseph possessed the greatest personal |
beauty that ever was bestowed on a son |
OF man, and no epithet, no profusion |
of epithets, Is able to set it forth The |
story of Joseph, when living with his
father and brothers. differs somewhat |
from the Hebrew narrative, and goes
more into detail but both records
agree In the intense affection he excited |
In all who saw him, except his broth
rem.
At last we reach the presence of the
lovely Zulaikha, and all merely mortal
men are bound to fall PROSTATE at her
feet. In the Western land there lived
a renowned king whose name was
linus. He had daughter, Zulaikba.
whom he loved beyond all things in
the world. As to her loneliness. the
poet declares sit is not to be compris
ed within the limits of description.
Nevertheless, he gives a charming pic
ture of her as ii young. fresh, happy
girl, before passion was stirred or sor-
row had come nigh her.
a vision or dream shows her joseph
and after she has been made i'll bv her
passionate love for her ideal Joseph.
another vision reveals to her that he is
a Prince of Egypt, with high dignity
and princedom. She tells her father all.
The fame of her beauty brings am.
bassadors to demand her in marriage
from all the kings of the world. except
from Egypt; but Zulaikha will listen ,
to none OF them. Her father dismisses !,
all the ambassadors, and sends a trusty j
to Egypt to offer his daugh-
ter IN marriage to the Grand Vizier, t
who is both astonished and enchanted $
at such unexpected happiness, which 6
ne accepts with all the eagerness it de- q
serves. They marry and Zulaikha is
edged magniticently, and left in per- f
ect freedom but she continues in her G
misery. /
All this time Joseph is living with +
lis father and his brethren. He, too. 4
las visions, but they are of his own fu- {
ure greatness; and his heart is a
introduced. The story of Joseph is @
according to the Koran, and 5,