226 



iag inaprovisatore, on any subject proposed to them; a declama- 

 tion in measures, which may be considered as a sort of medium 

 between blank verse, and modulated prose; but their proper pro- 

 fession is that of chanting the exploits of former days in the 

 front of the troops, while marshalling for battle, and inclining 

 them to emulate the glory of their ancestors. Many instances 

 are known of bards who have given the example, as well as the 

 precept, of devoting themselves for their king, by leading into the 

 thickest of the battle. 



" At the nuptials (says the legend) of Siva (the destructive 

 member of the Indian triad) with Parvati, the deity discovered 

 that the pleasures of the festival were uncomplete, and instantly 

 created poets, for the purpose of singing his exploits to the as- 

 sembly of the gods: they continued afterwards to reside at his 

 court or paradise of Kylasnm: and being one day desired by Par- 

 vati to sing her praises, submissively excused themselves, by re- 

 minding her of the exclusive object of their creation, namely, 

 " to chant the praise of heroes." Parvati, enraged at their un- 

 courteous refusal, pronounced on them the curse of perpetual 

 poverty; and the bards remonstrating with Siva against this un- 

 merited fate, were informed that nothing human rould evade the 

 wrath of Parvati. That although he could not cancel, he would 

 alleviate the curse ; that they should accordingly be permitled to 

 visit the terrestrial world; where, although sometimes riches and 

 plenty, and always approbation, would be showered over them 

 by the sovereigns of the earth, the former of these gifts should 

 never remain with them; and that poets, according to the decree 

 of Parvati, should be ever poor. The alleged prediction contri- 



