Book excerpt: Saadi is one of the greatest figures of classical Persian literature. His best-known work of poetry is the ‘Bustan’ (The Orchard), composed entirely in epic metre and consisting of stories illustrating the standard virtues recommended to Muslims, as well as offering reflections on the behaviour of dervishes and their ecstatic practices. Saadi also wrote the ‘Gulistan’, a prose collection featuring stories and personal anecdotes. The text is interspersed with a variety of short poems, containing aphorisms, advice and humorous reflections. Saadi’s works are characterised by their unusual blend of kindness and cynicism, always wishing to avoid the hard dilemma, making him, for many, the most widely admired poet of Persian literature. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature’s finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Saadi’s collected works, with related illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Saadi’s life and works * Concise introduction to Saadi’s life and poetry * All of the major verse and prose texts of Saadi * Images of how the poetry books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the poems * Easily locate the sections you want to read * Includes the rare poetry collection ‘Pand Namah’, first time in digital print * Features a bonus biography — discover Saadi’s intriguing life and poetry * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of Saadi Shirazi Brief Introduction: Saadi by Epiphanius Wilson Bustan (translated by A. Hart Edwards) Pand Namah (translated by Arthur N. Wollaston) The Prose Gulistan (translated by James Ross) The Biography Introduction to Saadi by Arthur N. Wollaston Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set