Day 16 - The Beginnings of Persian literature 1: Rudaki

In this and the next session we are going to learn about the beginnings of the Persian literature. Persian literary tradition goes back to the 9th-10th centuries, when the foundation of the Persian poetry was laid in the courts of local princes in Eastern Iran. Rudaki occupies an especially prominent place among the early poets. The testimonial of his fame may be found in the comparatively rich literary heritage that has been preserved by successive generations.

 

Reading - Rudaki, “The cheerful spring came” (بهار خرم آمد)

Read this famous poem by Rudaki, in which the poet praises the beauty of the spring. You can use the vocabulary above for clarifying the meaning of some words. 

Listening - Listen to the recording of this text about Persian poetry on Persian Language Online and then carefully read and translate the text. After finishing the translation compare it with the English translation available on the same page.

Subject of Conversation - The origins of the Persian literature (آغاز ادبیات فارسی).

Each student will be given the opportunity to present a brief overview (in Persian) of the origins of the Persian literature. During the presentation the students will be encouraged to present their personal views as to which circumstances created the ground for the rise of the Persian literature. Original ideas as well as the correct and abundant use of the Persian words and expressions will be taken into account while assessing the success of each student.

Vocabulary 

طیب

tib

fragrance

نزهت

nozhat

delight

شاید (< شایستن)

šāyad 

it is fitting

بدین

badin

this, at this

گه (= گاه)

gah (= gāh)

time, moment

گیتی

giti

world, universe

بدیل یافتن

badil yāftan

turn into

شباب

šabāb 

youth

از پی

az pey

after, following

مشیب

mašib 

old

چرخ

čarx

sky

بزرگوار

bozorgvār 

great

تیره

tire

black

صبا

sabā 

breeze, zephyr

نقیب

naqib 

leader

نفاط

naffāt 

fire-thrower

تندر

tondar

thunder

خیل

xeyl

a group (of horseman)

مهیب

mohib

frightening, terrifying

گرید (< گریستن)

griyad

is weeping

کئیب

ka’eyb

sorrowful

دمد (< دمیدن)

damad (< damidan)

is being seen

حصاری

hesāri 

prisoner

رقیب

raqib

warden (here)

یک چند روزگار

yek-čand ruzegār

for some period of time

دردمند

dardmand

full of pain

به

beh

well

مشکبوی (مشک + بوی)

moškbuy 

musc-scented

نو به نو

nou be nou

one after another

حله

holé

robe

قشیب

qašib

new

جویک

juyak

small canal, rivulet

قضیب

qazib

whip

کشت

kešt 

meadow

حنا

hanā 

henna (a dye)

خضیب

xazib

imbued, coloured

شاخسار

šāxsār 

full of branches; abounding in trees; a garden

مجیب شده

majib šode

is answering

صلصل

solsol

a bird

به … بر بودن

be … bar budan

sit on something

خواجه

x(w)āje

lord, master

مهتر

mehtar

prince

حسیب

hasib

honorable, venerable

باده

bāde

wine

نصیب

nasib

fate, fortune

ساقی

sāqi

cupbearer; the person who serves the wine

می

mey

wine

ریژ

riž

desire

فر و زیب

farr o zib

glory and beauty

Exercise (choose the right word).

  1. شاید که مرد پیر ... شود جوان  -  گیتی بدیل یافت شباب از پی مشیب (بدین گه، صبا، مهیب، قضیب).

  2. ... بزرگوار یکی لشکری بکرد  -  لشکرش ابر تیره و باد صبا نقیب (رقیب، حصاری، چرخ، غریب).

  3. … ، جهان دردمند بود  -  به شد، که یافت بوی سمن باد را طبیب (اندر زمان، بدین زمستان، در گه شب، یک چند روزگار).

  4. … میان دشت همی باد بردمد  -  برق از میان ابر همی برکشد قضیب (تگرگ، تندر، بلبل، باده).

  5. خورشید را ز ابر ... روی گاه‌گاه   -   چونان حصاریی، که گذر دارد از رقیب (دمد، خندد، نشان دهد، باز گرداند).