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Khosrow and Shirin
A tragic epic love story before
Romeo and Juliet
, by one of the greatest medieval Persian romance poets, in a modern-verse English translation by Dick Davis
A Penguin Classic
Based on historical characters of the seventh-century Iranian court and written 850 years ago, the narrative poem about Khosrow and Shirin shares a shelf with the most intensely romantic classic stories listeners love, from Tristan and Isolde to Layla and Majnun to Romeo and Juliet to Gatsby and Daisy.
The love between an Iranian prince (Khosrow) and an Armenian princess (Shirin) is at the center of this tumultuous tale in which the powers of politics and warfare intertwine with no less powerful forces of erotic desire and the quest for personal and spiritual fulfilment. Theirs is a complex love story based on conflicting concepts of love, one regarding the beloved as a prize to be conquered and possessed, the other unrequited and all-consuming, relishing the very notion of the annihilation of the self through love.
Davis has captured the energy and poetry of Nezami’s original in modern verse. Davis’s introduction and textual commentary further strengthens his translation by providing insightful context for the general listener and scholar alike. Khosrow and Shirin will enchant both the classicist and the general listener, to captivate a new audience for Nezami’s masterpiece.
“Before Romeo and Juliet, there was Khosrow and Shirin. The medieval Persian epic ‘Khosrow and Shirin’ is a rich and gloriously excessive love story”—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post.
A Penguin Classic
Based on historical characters of the seventh-century Iranian court and written 850 years ago, the narrative poem about Khosrow and Shirin shares a shelf with the most intensely romantic classic stories listeners love, from Tristan and Isolde to Layla and Majnun to Romeo and Juliet to Gatsby and Daisy.
The love between an Iranian prince (Khosrow) and an Armenian princess (Shirin) is at the center of this tumultuous tale in which the powers of politics and warfare intertwine with no less powerful forces of erotic desire and the quest for personal and spiritual fulfilment. Theirs is a complex love story based on conflicting concepts of love, one regarding the beloved as a prize to be conquered and possessed, the other unrequited and all-consuming, relishing the very notion of the annihilation of the self through love.
Davis has captured the energy and poetry of Nezami’s original in modern verse. Davis’s introduction and textual commentary further strengthens his translation by providing insightful context for the general listener and scholar alike. Khosrow and Shirin will enchant both the classicist and the general listener, to captivate a new audience for Nezami’s masterpiece.
“Before Romeo and Juliet, there was Khosrow and Shirin. The medieval Persian epic ‘Khosrow and Shirin’ is a rich and gloriously excessive love story”—Michael Dirda, The Washington Post.
- GenresLiterature
Audible Audio
Published April 15, 2025
4 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Nizami Ganjavi
136 books193 followersNizami Ganjavi, also spelled Nezāmi, (Persian: نظامی گنجوی) is considered the greatest romantic epic poet in Persian literature, who brought a colloquial and realistic style to the Persian epic. His heritage is widely appreciated and shared by Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 24, 2025
At times I’ll kiss you, to delight and please you,
At times I’ll hurt you, to torment and tease you;
I’ll lull you till you sleep while I drink wine—
How sweet to drink as you’re asleep, and mine!
I’ll tie our tumbling curls together while
At times I’ll weep with love, at times I’ll smile;
Against my heart I’ll press your precious ring
While you’re asleep, and you won’t feel a thing,
My stealth will so bewilder and confound you
Even your shirt won’t feel my arms around you!
At times I’ll hurt you, to torment and tease you;
I’ll lull you till you sleep while I drink wine—
How sweet to drink as you’re asleep, and mine!
I’ll tie our tumbling curls together while
At times I’ll weep with love, at times I’ll smile;
Against my heart I’ll press your precious ring
While you’re asleep, and you won’t feel a thing,
My stealth will so bewilder and confound you
Even your shirt won’t feel my arms around you!
April 17, 2025
A skilled, didactic narrative eloquently preserved in translation. A poetic classic from over 800 years ago.
“The shining sun rose, and the head of night
Was severed from day's body by its light.”
“Damp lovely almonds shed rose water on
The almond blossoms that bloomed pale and
wan”
“Let mirrors notice others' imperfections”
“Breezes strewed emeralds with bright pearls, as though
To sew the grass with gemstones when they blow,”
“And if you're dust yourself, why should you care
That earthly dust surrounds you everywhere?”
“The shining sun rose, and the head of night
Was severed from day's body by its light.”
“Damp lovely almonds shed rose water on
The almond blossoms that bloomed pale and
wan”
“Let mirrors notice others' imperfections”
“Breezes strewed emeralds with bright pearls, as though
To sew the grass with gemstones when they blow,”
“And if you're dust yourself, why should you care
That earthly dust surrounds you everywhere?”
August 1, 2025
You can also read this at my subreddit at this address.
https://www.reddit.com/r/FarshadTorka...
https://www.reddit.com/r/FarshadTorka...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews