River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-10-03
JOSEPH AND ZULAIKIiA.
a Bible story In Porsi.n.

bibIe story In Porsian.
The London Athen@um gives care.
iul review of the "Analysis and Sneci.
mems of Joseph and Zulaikha. an His.
torlcal- Romantic Poem, "by the Persian
poet JAM, recently published by vii
hams x 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 he trained he
lore 1T can enjoy or admire it. The
poem OF Joseph and Zulaikha," one
OF the gems of Persian poetry, by
Abderabman Ibn Ahmed-or, as he is
usually called, Nur-ed din Jami, from
the place of his brth-is perhaps, the
work most likely to be attractive.
though we doubt whether the most
patient OF readers could get through
the poem as IA whole, in spite of It's
many beauties. The present modest
little brochure, which contains the
analysis of the story, which connected
specimens of the most interesting por
tions, is quite enough to satisfy an En-
glish reader.
V"iii "tH btih a ~. ltlf, or OF the
Hegira Sl7. He dedicated his whole
lille TO literature, and appears TO have
been very prolific writer; the titles
OF thirty of his works i'm prose
and sixteen IN poetry remain. He wrote
on all bIeets-history, religion, the.
ology, morals, aud numerous exnosi.
tionB of the mystical doctrines OF the
branch of Northumberland to which
/ he belonged. His strong mystic ten
| denotes are very evident in his treat
ment OF the present poem for. though
The story ot the love of Joseph and
Iulaikha IS SO ardent in its descrip
tions AS to make the Song of Solomon
seem " like snow in summer still IL is
evident throughout that deem mystic
meaning underlles the whole The love
aud suiienngs OF Zulaikha are intended
TO represent not alone an earthly pas
sion for lover, but the aspiration of Il
human soul after it's Maker-the pnpgs
OF separation, aud the ardent desire for
reunion with the fountain of life and
source of all good, from which il has
been banished 10 the wilderness of this
mortal life. The poem, however, i
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
POtiphar," and Joseph comes ont
with all the brilliancy with which
Eastern traditions have endowed him.
ami which lies quite outside our Bible
history. His knowledge of magic
(which he might have derived from
his mother), his superauman beauty,
his love for Hulaikha (which has its re-
cord IN the koran), aud his wonderful
wisdom in interpreting dreams and
toretelling the future, all combine To-
Afford reason enough for ZulaIkha's
frantic and ungovernable passion. The
poem OF Joseph and ZulaIkha" has
never yet been brought before the
English reader although Prof. Roscn-
welg has translated II into German.
Oncntals always take their time about
everything, aud in the midst Of the
strongest emotion of Joy or grief they
make innumcIahlo dIgressions. and
stop TO elaborate their metaphors aud
Smiles with a mluuteness that greatly
detncts from their freshness and sug
gestlNcness. This habit renders
Oriental poetry fatigulng to an Euro,
pean reader.
Alter great deal of preliminary dial.
lying with the sentiments Of the story.
aud before we are allowed 10 reach the
presence OF Iulaikha, we are artfully
prepared to understand The magical
aud overwhelming influence by which
the " Moon ci Canaan (Joscph)
bore away reason from the braun OF
. Hulalkha. The Orientals believe that
Joseph possessed the greatest personal
beauty that ever was bestowed on son
OF man, and no epithet, no profnsion
ot eplthtts, IL able To set il forth The
story of Joseph, when living with his
iather aud brothers, differs somewhat
from the Hebrew narrative, ami GOES
moro into detail hut both records
agree m the intense affection he excited
IN all who saw him, except his bfeth
rem.
AZ last we reach tho presence of the
lovely Hulaikha and all merely mortal
men are bound to TALL PROSTATE at her
ieot In the Western land there lived
q renowned king whose name was
Tlmus. He had a daughter, Zulaikha.
whom he loved beyond all things in
the world. As to her lovoliness. tho
poet declares &" II is not 10 bc compris.
ed within the limits of description.
Nevertheless, he gives charming pic.
ture of her as young. fresh, happy
girl, before passion was stirred or sor
row had come nigh her.
\ vision or dream shovsher Joseph
and after she has been made IN low her
passionate love for her ideal Joseph.
another vision reveals 10 her that he is
Prince Of Egypt with high dignity
aud priucedom. She tells her fatherali.
The fame of her beauty brings am.
/ hnahllnra 10 lrmnnl hnr IN r,nrrin....