Kahlil Gibran and the houri
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- Category: Alison Marshall's Column
- Created: Monday, 06 February 2006 13:09
- Published: Monday, 06 February 2006 13:09
- Written by Alison
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Back in 2001, Juan posted to Talisman an interesting message that contained a houri story from Kahlil Gibran. It is interesting to contrast his account with that of Baha'u'llah's.
In Talisman, Juan Cole wrote:
Some of us have enjoyed Baha'u'llah's writings about the houri or Maid of Heaven. A fan reminded me that Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese author, also wrote about the houri. Actually, there are some similarities in the two treatments, which would be interesting to explore. This is an old translation from "Tears and Laughter," which in my view is not very good. I can't remember if Walbridge or I did a new one, but if not we should. For those of you who don't know, I have translated three of Gibran's books, which are available from Penguin in paper and from White Cloud in hard covers.
cheers Juan
Before the Throne of Beauty
One heavy day I ran away from the grim face of society and the dizzying clamour of the city and directed my weary step to the spacious alley. I pursued the beckoning course of the rivulet and the musical sounds of the birds until I reached a lonely spot where the flowing branches of the trees prevented the sun from touching the earth.