batch.motif.sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg-l9720-l9766
---
record_id: batch.motif.sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg-l9720-l9766
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
passage_locator:
label: OF QONYA. / PREFACE. / IN THE NAME OF GOD, / THE ALL-MERCIFUL, THE VERY-COMPASSIONATE.;
lines 9720-9766
start: '9720'
end: '9766'
translation: The Mesnevi
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: Do thou to pride die; thou mayest so live for e’er.
summary: The passage uses autumn leaves, spring growth, perfume before flowers,
Jacob’s hope for Joseph, Persian lover figures, the parrot’s simulated death,
Jesus’ breath, and the contrast of stone and earth to exhort the listener toward
humility, hope, spiritual renewal, and dying to pride.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: In autumn, leaves leave the trees and fly with the breeze; a black-robed rook
is described as mourning the leaf.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A divine addressee is called the true Forest-King, and Death is addressed
as restoring leaves, flowers, and fruits in their season.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The listener is told to consider spring and autumn within the self and to
keep the heart green, yielding fruits of righteousness and purity.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The speaker says the words come from the supreme Spirit and compare hope to
a perfume of flowers before the flowers appear and to a dream of fermentation
before wine is set.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The perfume of hope is said to draw souls toward flowers, paradise, and rivers,
as hope led Jacob in quest of his son.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Jacob’s bad tidings and fear are said to have cost him his sight, while reunion
in hope brought back his light.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The listener is advised to be like Jacob if not Joseph, like Ferhad if not
Shirin, and to see Majnun’s ravings if not Layla.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: An old sage of Gazna is cited for advice about not assuming airs without beauty,
and the listener is told to humble himself in Joseph’s presence.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The parrot is said to have simulated death as prayer, and the listener is
told to die to pride in order to live forever.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: A breath from Jesus is said to transform the listener; a stone will not blossom
in spring, but if one becomes like earth, flowers may cling around.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: leaves, flowers, and fruits
description: Seasonal plant forms that leave, return, shine, or grow in due season.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: rook
description: A black-robed bird described as chief mourner for the leaf in wood
and field.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Thou / true Forest-King
description: A divine addressee whose command goes forth over the forest and seasonal
return.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Death
description: Personified Death addressed as restoring the prey it had taken.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: listener / friend
description: The addressed friend who is instructed to examine inner spring and
autumn, cultivate the heart, hope, mourn, humble himself, and die to pride.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Jacob
description: A figure led by hope in quest of his son, who loses sight through sorrow
and regains light through hoped-for reunion.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Joseph
description: A beautiful or elevated figure before whom the listener is told not
to use coquetries but to humble himself.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Shirin
description: A named beloved or beautiful figure used in contrast with Ferhad.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Ferhad
description: A named lover or seeker figure offered as an alternative model if the
listener is not Shirin.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Layla
description: A named beloved figure used in contrast with Majnun.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Majnun
description: A named figure associated with ravings, offered as a model if the listener
is not Layla.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: old sage of Gazna
description: A cited source of advice about beauty, airs, and humility.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: parrot
description: A parrot that simulated death as prayer.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Jesus
description: A figure whose breath may blow upon and transform the listener.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: mourner
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The rook is described as acting as chief mourner for the leaf.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: divine commander
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Command is said to go forth from the divine addressee, called the true Forest-King.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: personified restorer
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Death is directly addressed as restoring what it had taken.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: hopeful seeker or mourner
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:9
- fig:11
basis: The listener is urged toward weeping, mourning, and quest; Jacob, Ferhad,
and Majnun are presented as models of longing or quest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: spiritual trainee
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The listener receives instructions to cultivate the heart, humble himself,
die to pride, and become like earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: beloved or beautiful figure
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:10
basis: Joseph, Shirin, and Layla are invoked as figures the listener may not be,
in contrast to seekers or lovers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: advisor
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The old sage of Gazna is introduced as a source of advice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: simulated-death exemplar
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: The parrot is said to have simulated death as prayer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: transforming life-breath figure
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Jesus’ breath is said to be able to blow upon and transform the listener.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: tree and leaves
literal_form: Trees, branches, leaves, garlands of verdure, flowers, and fruits
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: spring and autumn
literal_form: Seasonal alternation of autumn loss and spring greenness or blossoming
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: green heart and fruit
literal_form: A heart described as green and yielding good fruits of righteousness
and purity
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: perfume before flowers
literal_form: A perfume or odor of flowers perceived before flowers appear
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: paradise rivers
literal_form: The joys of paradise described as a place where rivers flow
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:6
label: sight and light restored
literal_form: Jacob’s lost sight and the light restored by hope of reunion
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:7
label: simulated death
literal_form: The parrot’s simulated death and the listener’s commanded death to
pride
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:13
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: Jesus’ breath
literal_form: A breath from Jesus that may blow upon and transform the listener
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:9
label: stone and earth
literal_form: A stone that will not blossom and earth that can receive flowers
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Autumnal loss and restoration
summary: Leaves depart the trees in autumn, the rook mourns, and the passage addresses
divine command and Death as participating in seasonal return of leaves, flowers,
and fruits.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Inner spring and autumn
summary: The listener is instructed to see spring and autumn within the self and
to cultivate a green, fruitful heart.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Perfume of hope and Jacob’s quest
summary: The speaker describes hope as a perfume that draws the soul toward paradise
and compares this to Jacob being led in quest of his son.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Models of longing and humility
summary: The passage invokes Joseph and Jacob, Shirin and Ferhad, Layla and Majnun,
and a sage’s advice to urge humility and longing rather than proud display.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Dying to pride and transformation
summary: The parrot’s simulated death, the command to die to pride, Jesus’ breath,
and the stone-earth contrast are used to describe transformation and renewal.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: death and rebirth through seasonal restoration
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
- seasonal_cycle
basis: The passage presents autumnal loss, Death restoring what was taken, spring
growth, flowers, fruits, and new life arising from old life.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is didactic and metaphorical rather than a narrative of literal
death and resurrection.
- id: motif:2
label: spiritual renewal by dying to pride
taxonomy_refs:
- annihilation_union
- death_rebirth
basis: The listener is told to die to pride in order to live forever, with the parrot’s
simulated death and Jesus’ breath as supporting images of transformation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: Union is not explicitly stated in the passage; the taxonomy reference
to annihilation is inferred from the command to die to pride.
- id: motif:3
label: hope-led quest toward reunion
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
- return
basis: Hope is described as perfume that leads souls onward, and Jacob’s quest for
his son and hoped-for reunion are invoked as examples.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The quest is mainly exhortative and analogical; no full journey narrative
is developed in this excerpt.
- id: motif:4
label: beloved-seeker polarity
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
- mystical_quest
basis: The passage contrasts Joseph with Jacob, Shirin with Ferhad, and Layla with
Majnun, presenting seeker or lover figures as models when one is not the beloved.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The beloved figures are named through literary allusion; the passage does
not explicitly identify them as divine beloveds.
- id: motif:5
label: wisdom through humility and self-cultivation
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- initiation
basis: The listener is instructed to examine the self, cultivate the heart, accept
the sage’s advice, humble himself, and become like earth rather than stone.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage gives moral-spiritual counsel, but it does not describe a
formal initiation rite.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly uses Jacob’s hope and quest for his son as an analogy
for hope-led spiritual movement toward reunion.
claim_level: same_function
target: Jacob-Joseph reunion narrative
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage names Jacob and Joseph but summarizes only selected features
of the wider narrative.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage uses Shirin/Ferhad and Layla/Majnun as comparable lover-beloved
patterns to model longing, mourning, or seekerhood.
claim_level: same_function
target: Persian and Arabic-Persian romance lover traditions of Shirin-Ferhad and
Layla-Majnun
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage invokes the names briefly and does not narrate their stories.
- id: claim:3
claim: The passage treats Jesus’ breath as a transformative power functioning like
a life-giving or renewing agent.
claim_level: same_function
target: Jesus’ life-giving breath motif in Islamic and related sacred lore
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: Only the breath and its transforming effect are mentioned; no specific
miracle story is recounted.
- id: claim:4
claim: The parrot’s simulated death is used as an exemplar for the listener’s own
death to pride.
claim_level: same_function
target: simulated-death instruction pattern in the parrot episode referenced by
the passage
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The excerpt only alludes to the parrot’s action and does not provide
the full surrounding episode.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 9720-9728
quote_or_summary: Autumn leaves leave the trees; a black-robed rook mourns; the
divine addressee is called Forest-King; Death restores leaves, flowers, and fruits
in due season.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 9730-9735
quote_or_summary: The listener is told to consider spring and autumn within the
self and to keep the heart green, yielding fruits of righteousness and purity.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 9737-9744
quote_or_summary: The speaker says the words come from the supreme Spirit; perfume
before flowers and imagined fermentation before wine become images of hope drawing
souls toward paradise where rivers flow.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 9744-9752
quote_or_summary: Hope led Jacob in quest of his son; sorrow cost him sight and
hoped reunion restored light; the listener is urged to be Jacob if not Joseph,
Ferhad if not Shirin, and to see Majnun’s ravings if not Layla.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 9753-9759
quote_or_summary: The passage cites an old sage of Gazna on not giving oneself airs
without beauty, and tells the listener to humble himself in Joseph’s presence.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 9761-9766
quote_or_summary: The parrot simulated death as prayer; the listener is told to
die to pride to live forever; Jesus’ breath may transform; a stone will not blossom
in spring, but earth may receive flowers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; concise summary.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Extraction is based solely on the supplied passage. Motif assignments are
strongest for seasonal renewal and death-to-pride imagery; broader mystical and
comparative readings 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 external sources were used. Taxonomy references were limited to the supplied available motif families and symbols.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg__l9720-l9766
passage_sha256=7981938fed5757257f671bdc24379bb7589a6e871c4a804cf7724c5a7725aaf0