1869.] The Nineteenth Booh of the Gestes of Prithiraj. 145 



The Nineteenth (1) Booh of the Gestes of Prithiraj by Ghand 

 Barddi, entitled li The Marriage with Padmavati" literally trans- 

 lated from the old Hindi by John Beames, Usq., B. G. S. 



I have selected this spirited poem as a first specimen of translation 

 from the Prithiraj a Rasa, and it must be regarded solely as an essay- 

 in translation. Chand's language is archaic, his dialect is as much 

 Panjabi as Hindi, dating from a time prior to the definite separation 

 of the two languages, his poetic licenses are numerous and daring, the 

 texts of the only two manuscripts I have yet had an opportunity of 

 thoroughly studying, are very corrupt, and I have no Pandit to help 

 me. I rely chiefly on my own resources. I have, however, used with 

 very valuable results, dictionaries of Panjabi, Sindhi and Gujarati, and 

 a glossary of the Marwari dialect. Still much remains uncertain and 

 conjectural, and I am open to any criticisms, and ready to admit that 

 I may have made mistakes where " tantum difficile est non errare." 



Book the Nineteenth. 



Here begins the marriage with Padmavati. 

 Couplets (XT^T) 



1. In the eastern land there is a fort, lord of forts, 

 Samud Sikhar, hard of access ; 



There lives a victorious hero, lord of kings 

 Of Jadav race, strong-armed. (2) 



2. With retinue, (3) horses, elephants, much land 

 And dignity of a Padshah (^fr^TT*? T H^T^) 

 A mighty lord to all his servants 



With pomp and standards very splendid. 

 Poem («frf^) 



3. With many (4) standards very splendid, 

 Song and music playing five times a day,* 

 Mounting ten thousand horses 



With golden hoofs and jewelled trappings 



A lord of countless elephants, 



A valiant army thirty lakhs strong ; 



* At his palace gate, as is the custom with Indian princes. 



20 



