Page from a Panj Ganj of Abd al-Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492), with two Persian masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Khirad-nama-i Iskandari (verso) 1603-1607 Part of a set. See all set records Mushfiq and others (Indian) India, Mughal patronage in Deccan style, early 17th century Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, double-sided with text on verso Text area: 17.8 x 9.5 cm (7 x 3 3/4 in.); Page: 31.6 x 20.4 cm (12 7/16 x 8 1/16 in.) Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.315.1.b DESCRIPTION This section of text from Jami’s poem of Joseph and Zulaykha, written diagonally in the margins, describes the beauties of Zulaykha’s house, in which she intends to seduce Joseph. It includes the following verses: Jeweled lamps on the walls were hung; And odorous herbs were beneath them flung. She gathered together all things most fair, And unrolled the carpet of pleasure there. But amid the charms of the sumptuous hall She longed only for Joseph, far dearer than all. A heavenly palace is dark and dim To a lover whose darling is far from him. The longing of Zulaykha for Joseph metaphorically describes an imperfect devotee’s mystical love for God. With patience, forbearance, and virtuous actions, unification with the divine will eventually occur, even for the most flawed among us. On this page also begins the Khirad-nama-i Iskandari (Alexander’s Book of Wisdom), another of the fivenarrative poems that make up the Panj Ganj. INSCRIPTION the miniature signed at upper left: ' amal - i Mushfiq sana 1015 (the work of the Mushfiq year 1015) Text on verso EXHIBITION HISTORY Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).