Quæ omnia hæc tendunt; ut Sadium audias: vel ideo tantum ut audiveris? LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BY J. M. RICHARDSON, 23, CORNHILL, 1823. recato, 06-8-338B DEDICATION. THIS humble attempt to render into literal English the Gulistan of Sadi, being the first volume of a Series of English Translations of some select Persian Classics, and chiefly intended for the use of the Students at their Colleges, is, as a Testimony of his Respect, and with Their Special Permission, dedicated to MEMORANDUM. IN continuation of this Series of Translations, Mr. Ross expects to be able early next year to publish a second volume, consisting of the Bustan of Sadi, with a critique on his Works. And the year after, a third volume, consisting of a Heroic Poem of Firdausi, and some Selections from Nizami, Anwari, Hafiz, &c. together with Essays on their respective Lives. And the year after that, a fourth volume, containing the Introductory Matter, and two first books of the Anwari Sohaili, and comprehending better than a third of the whole Work, together with an Essay on the Persian Apologue, and more especially what is called Bidpai or Pilpay's Fables.-N. B. Another volume, of the same size, will comprehend the remaining twelve books. These Translations, and some others, have lain by him for many years; and have been lately referred to, with the view of supporting his manifold significations of even the most common Persian words, that have heretofore been strangely overlooked by our Europo-Oriental lexicographers: and, after these previous publications, Mr. Ross flatters himself, that he may venture to put to the press his grand Work, or a Dictionary of Real and Pure Persian Words! An Essay ON THE LIFE AND GENIUS OF SHAIKH SADI. THIRTY years ago, when I first devoted myself to the study of the Oriental languages, it was my custom to translate into English any classic, which my Munshi had recommended for my perusal; and, among other Persian books, I had in this way made translations of the Gulistan and Bustan of Sadi: and now, with much diffidence, publish that of the Gulistan, with an abridgement of a larger work, being an Essay on the Life and Genius of the Author; intending to follow this up next year with my translation of the Bustan, with a prefatory critique on Sadi's B |
