In the preparation of this little volume much depended upon the
kindness and generosity of certain Oriental scholars, who have allowed
me to reproduce some of their translations from Jámí. I have attempted
to give their best work in so far as it tends to illustrate the
mystical teaching of the last great poet of Persia.
Once more I am indebted to Mr. E. H. Whinfield for permission to
quote from his translation of the _Lawá'ih_ (Oriental Translation
Fund, New Series, vol. xvi., Royal Asiatic Society, London). I have
to thank Prof. Edward G. Browne for allowing me to use his beautiful
translation from _Yúsuf and Zulaikha_, which I have called "The Coming
of the Beloved." This translation appears, in fuller form, in Prof. E.
G. Browne's article on "Súfíism" in _Religious Systems of the World_
(Sonnenschein). The chapter in the present volume entitled "The Story
of Yúsuf and Zulaikha" originally appeared in the _Orient Review_,
and I am indebted to the editors for their courtesy in allowing me
to reproduce it here. I very much appreciate Mr. E. Edwards's kindly
interest in my work, and for the valuable suggestions he has made from
time to time. I tender my thanks to Messrs. Kegan Paul for allowing me
to make a selection from _Yúsuf and Zulaikha_, translated by the late
Mr. Ralph T. Griffith (Trübner's Oriental Series).
The translations from _Salámán and Absál_ are by Edward FitzGerald,
and those from the _Baháristán_ were originally published by the Kama
Shastra Society.