batch.motif.sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg-l10090-l10188
---
record_id: batch.motif.sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg-l10090-l10188
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
passage_locator:
label: PREFACE. / IN THE NAME OF GOD, / THE ALL-MERCIFUL, THE VERY-COMPASSIONATE.
/ VIII.; lines 10090-10188
start: '10090'
end: '10188'
translation: The Mesnevi
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage presents prophetic advice about spring breezes and autumn chills,
then applies these images to spiritual guidance, wisdom, lust, pride, admonition,
and reproach. Aisha asks the Prophet whether a rain is merciful or menacing; he
answers that it soothes human care. The passage then reflects on thoughtfulness,
greed, and scant heavenly tricklings before returning to an aged minstrel who
has lost his former powers, prays to God, takes his harp to the burial ground
of Yathrab, plays, weeps, and sleeps on a grave with the harp as his pillow.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Prophet advises that spring breezes should be allowed to touch the body
because they strengthen it, while autumn chills should be avoided because they
are fatal and strip trees.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The passage says traditionists reported the Prophet’s words but did not add
their application, discerning the mountain while missing its mines.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The passage identifies autumn chill with fleshly lust and pride, and vernal
breeze with spirit, wisdom, and guiding sense.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The listener is urged to seek perfect wisdom and to place completed wisdom
as a ring on the neck of flesh.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The breeze of spring is applied to one who is perfect in himself and helps
others become perfect.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Admonition and reproach are said to confirm faith, encourage good deeds, restrain
the soul from evil, and turn away the fires of hell.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Aisha asks the Prophet whether the day’s rain was a rain of mercy or menace,
vernal benefit or autumnal grave-making shower.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The Prophet answers that the rain was a sprinkle sent to soothe human care,
because prolonged exposure to care’s fierce flame would ruin the mortal frame.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: The passage says scant tricklings are sent from the upper world so that greed
and envy may not ruin every town.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: The minstrel formerly had rare talent, a sweet voice, and charmed the world.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: In old age the minstrel is described as bent, with cracked and unbearable
voice, and in poverty.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: The minstrel prays to God, says he can no longer earn, calls himself God’s
household guest, and promises to harp for love of God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: The minstrel carries his harp to the burial ground of Yathrab, asks God for
the hire of his harpstrings, plays, weeps, and sleeps on a grave with the harp
as his pillow.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: The passage contrasts decaying worldly beauty with the lasting words of a
saint from God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: The Prophet
description: Speaker of advice about breezes and respondent to Aisha’s question
about rain.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Traditionists
description: Reporters of the Prophet’s blessed words who, according to the passage,
stop short of their application.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Perfect one / spiritual guide
description: The one applied as the breeze of spring, perfect in himself and helping
men become perfect.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Teacher
description: A teacher whose heart is saddened if a twig from the heart’s garden
falls away.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Good ‘Ā’isha
description: Questioner described as the gem of honour’s casket, who asks the Prophet
about the rain.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: God
description: Divine addressee of the minstrel’s prayer and the one from whom the
minstrel asks recompense.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Minstrel
description: An aged musician who once charmed the world, becomes poor, prays to
God, and plays at the burial ground.
role_refs:
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Saint from God
description: A saint whose words are said to last until the judgment blast.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: prophetic adviser
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Prophet gives advice about spring breezes and autumn chills.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: answerer of spiritual question
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Prophet answers Aisha’s question about the rain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: incomplete transmitters
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They report the words but stop short and miss the application.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: perfecting guide
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The figure is perfect in himself and helps others become perfect.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: concerned teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The teacher’s heart is darkened by sorrow if a twig from the heart’s garden
falls away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: questioner
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Aisha asks whether the rain is mercy or menace.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: divine provider and recipient of devotion
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The minstrel thanks God for long life, calls himself God’s guest, and plays
for love of God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:8
label: aged musician
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The minstrel is described as formerly talented but now old, poor, and vocally
diminished.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: role:9
label: devotional supplicant
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: He prays to God and asks God for the hire of his harpstrings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:10
label: enduring holy speaker
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The saint’s words from God are said to endure until judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: spring breeze
literal_form: cool breezes in spring / vernal breeze
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:2
label: autumn chill
literal_form: autumn’s chills / autumn chill
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: trees and leaves
literal_form: trees clothed with leaves and stripped by autumn chills
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: mountain and mines
literal_form: mountain and its mines
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: ring of wisdom on flesh
literal_form: completed wisdom placed on the neck of flesh as a ring
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: fires of hell
literal_form: fires of hell
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:7
label: rain
literal_form: rain, sprinkle, vernal rain, autumnal shower
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: care’s flame
literal_form: care’s fierce flame
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:9
label: scant tricklings from the upper world
literal_form: scant tricklings sent down from the upper world
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:10
label: sun, ice, and water of thoughtfulness
literal_form: thoughtfulness as sun and water; greed as ice and filth
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:11
label: harp
literal_form: the minstrel’s harp and harpstrings
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: sym:12
label: burial ground and grave
literal_form: burial-ground of Yathrab and a grave
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Prophetic advice and allegorical application
summary: The Prophet’s advice about spring breezes and autumn chills is transmitted,
then the passage applies the breezes and chills to wisdom, spirit, fleshly lust,
pride, and guidance.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:2
label: Aisha’s question about the rain
summary: Aisha asks the Prophet what kind of rain has fallen, and he explains that
it was a soothing sprinkle against human care.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:3
label: Reflection on thoughtfulness and greed
summary: The passage says thoughtfulness belongs to the upper world and that only
scant tricklings are sent down lest greed and envy ruin towns.
figure_refs: []
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: The minstrel’s decline
summary: The minstrel is recalled as once wonderfully talented, but now old, bent,
vocally diminished, and poor.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: scene:5
label: The minstrel’s devotional performance at the grave
summary: The minstrel prays to God, carries his harp to Yathrab’s burial ground,
asks God for the hire of his harpstrings, plays, weeps, and sleeps on a grave.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:11
- sym:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: spiritual wisdom as life-giving spring influence
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage applies the spring breeze to spirit, wisdom, and a perfecting
guide whose words confirm faith and bear religious fruit.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: This is an internal allegorical application in the passage rather than
an external comparative classification.
- id: motif:2
label: opposed seasonal influences as moral states
taxonomy_refs:
- duality
- seasonal_cycle
basis: Spring breeze is aligned with spirit and wisdom, while autumn chill is aligned
with fleshly lust and pride.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The seasonal contrast is explicitly spiritualized in the passage; no broader
historical comparison is asserted.
- id: motif:3
label: divine mercy as measured rain or trickling water
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Rain is described as a soothing sprinkle for human care, and scant tricklings
from the upper world are sent so greed and envy do not ruin towns.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The water imagery is distributed across two related reflections; the exact
motif family is not named in the provided taxonomy.
- id: motif:4
label: devotional offering by a destitute musician
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The aged minstrel, unable to earn, calls himself God’s guest, plays for love
of God, and asks God for the hire of his harpstrings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is devotional and supplicatory; the passage does not yet
state any divine response or reward.
- id: motif:5
label: graveyard vigil with musical instrument
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: The minstrel carries his harp to the burial ground, plays, weeps, and sleeps
on a grave using the harp as his pillow.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives the action but not a completed quest outcome within
this excerpt.
- id: motif:6
label: decay of worldly beauty contrasted with enduring holy speech
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
- wisdom
basis: The passage asks what beauty does not decay and contrasts ruin with the lasting
words of a saint from God until judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif is thematic; the excerpt does not narrate literal death and
rebirth.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: 10090-10096
quote_or_summary: The Prophet advises not to cover bodies from cool spring breezes
because they strengthen sinews and clothe trees with leaves, but warns that autumn
chills are fatal and strip trees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: 10098-10101
quote_or_summary: Traditionists report the Prophet’s words but stop short; they
have discerned the mountain and missed its mines.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief quotation and summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: 10103-10108
quote_or_summary: The autumn chill is identified with fleshly lust and pride; the
vernal breeze with spirit, wisdom, and guiding sense; the listener is urged to
seek perfect wisdom.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 10110-10120
quote_or_summary: The applied spring breeze is one perfect in himself who helps
others become perfect; his words confirm faith, help avert hellfire, and admonition
and reproach encourage good and restrain evil.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 10122-10128
quote_or_summary: Aisha asks the Prophet whether the rain was mercy or menace, vernal
benefit or autumnal grave-making shower.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 10130-10133
quote_or_summary: The Prophet answers that the rain was a sprinkle sent to soothe
care; prolonged exposure to care’s fierce flame would ruin the mortal frame.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 10135-10145
quote_or_summary: The passage says heedlessness props the world, thoughtfulness
belongs to the upper world, thoughtfulness is sun and water, greed is ice and
filth, and scant tricklings are sent down to restrain greed and envy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 10148-10152
quote_or_summary: The minstrel’s talent had been rare, his sweet voice charmed the
world, hearts fluttered like birds, and men’s minds were surprised by his notes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 10154-10160
quote_or_summary: In old age the minstrel is bent, with brows drooping; his once
joyful voice is cracked, out of tune, and compared to a donkey’s braying.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 10162-10169
quote_or_summary: The passage asks what beauty does not decay and says only the
words of a saint from God will last until the judgment blast.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 10171-10178
quote_or_summary: The aged minstrel feels poverty, prays to God, thanks God for
long life and past provision, says he can no longer earn, calls himself God’s
household guest, and says he will harp for love of God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 10180-10188
quote_or_summary: With harp on shoulder, the minstrel goes to the burial ground
of Yathrab, asks God for the hire of his harpstrings, plays, weeps, and sleeps
on a grave with the harp as his pillow.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: The passage provides explicit allegorical applications for several images,
but candidate motif labels remain draft classifications and require human review.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-29'
notes: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not support a specific comparison to another text, tradition, or external motif family beyond internal allegorical patterning.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg__l10090-l10188
passage_sha256=b0dfd10f9bd8c9b0e5ad96bf5883b1f55f72f5f5210bb6242fd2aa547a8d52d2