[Michael F]

I’m smitten with the Sufi poets, currently and specifically with Hafiz of Shiraz. I’ve read Peter Avery’s translation in the eponymous book, but its scant 75 pages left me wanting more -- much more. I’ve noted that some Sphereans have strong opinions about translations of the Sufis, so I’m looking for guidance and advice: where to next, that won't cost me a fortune?

I welcome any help!

[Susan McLean]

Faces of Love: Hafez and the Poets of Shiraz, translated by Dick Davis.

Susan

[Andrew Frisardi]

Hi Michael,

I have the Davis that Susan mentions, and it's good, although in my opinion he lacks metaphysical affinity with his subject. Does that matter for the craft of translating words and sonics? I believe it does.

The Sphere's own polyglot AZ Foreman has translated a lot of Hafiz, and done it well. See http://poemsintranslation.blogspot.i...nslations.html, and scroll down.

AZ reviews the Davis here: http://poemsintranslation.blogspot.i...-poets-of.html

Good luck!

Andrew

[Michael F]

Susan, Andrew -- and AZ:

Kind thanks! The hound is on the scent...

[Tony Barnstone]

While you are on a Persian kick, you might check out Sholeh Wolpe's fine new translation of Attar:

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/deta...?ID=4294992721

[Michael F]

Thanks, Tony! I have read the Dick Davis / Akfham Darbandi translation. Is this one also rhymed?

I would like to read Attar again; it amazes me how different translations of a classic can open up the mind. I had that experience with Eknath Easwaran’s translation of the Gita.

[Tony Barnstone]

Hi Michael,

No rhyme, and in fact it is immensely different from the Davis translation. I think it makes a good read. She does a back and forth between prose parables and poetic commentary.

[Michael F]

Thanks again, Tony! It looks like the book is due out in March, so I have time to continue on my Hafiz binge…

BTW, for anyone else interested in Hafiz, I’ve received Gertrude Bell’s translation entitled The Garden of Heaven, and IMO the introduction alone is worth the price of the book.

[Matt Q]

Michael,

I'd be interested to hear your opinion of the translation if you have the time. I see it dates from 1897. How do you find it?

thanks,
Matt

[Michael F]

Hi Matt,

So, I’ve read enough to form an opinion:

IMO, the notes to the poems and the introduction are superb and give great context to Hafiz, his religion, and his times. The poems themselves often feel fusty, and sometimes I felt that they might have been translated by Keats or Donne. The poems are full of archaic forms, particularly in the second person (wouldst and hast and thou and thee, etc.), and of gaping inversions that I sometimes struggled to put right -- I mean, to make sense of. As I don’t know a syllable of Persian, I take it on trust that a remarkable aspect of his poetry is its colloquial tone. GB’s translations are certainly not colloquial to my ear.

However, these shortcomings can’t tarnish Hafiz’s lustrous metaphors, or smother the fire of his passion, or smudge his brilliance for writing poems and tropes that can often be read on at least two levels. I come away from the book with awe for the poet, and feeling that I would like very much to share a few cups of wine with the man, even if it meant (especially if it meant?) sweeping up the dirt of the tavern floor with my cheek...