A SANSCRIT POEM BY SHRI HARSHA. 



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these feelings as being excited and increased by the intervention of birds, 

 who going from place to place, describe to each the qualities of the other 

 lover. To some this mode of representation may appear ridiculous ; it is, 

 however, the best method that could be adopted to describe that sympathy 

 of feeling which often exists between persons at a distance, and which 

 appears unaccountable, except under tlie idea that some bird or secondary 

 agent has been employed in making communications from the one to the 

 other : and it has the sanction of antiquity and of the wisest man that 

 ever lived ; for Solomon has said : "A bird of the air may carry the 

 voice ; and that which hath wings may tell the matter." 



The King's daughter pining for the imaginary being on whom she 

 had fixed her heart, excites the pity of her father, who immediately makes 

 a proclamation to the neighbouring princes, inviting them to a feast, and 

 informing them of his intention to give his daughter in marriage to the 

 suitor whom she may choose. In India daughters are commonly dispos- 

 ed of by their parents when children ; but in a few instances princesses 

 have been permitted to grow up and choose for themselves, at an assembly 

 convened for that purpose. On such occasions a bard or encomiast pro- 

 ceeds round the assembly and announces the name and qualities of each 

 princely suitor, and of whomsoever the princess makes choice, to him a 

 garland is presented. 



The king having convoked the princes, the gods are represented as 

 assuming the shape of men and presenting themselves at the feast. This 

 is an artful device of the poet, to set his hero in the fairest point of light, 

 as excelling not only human but divine competitors. Before the meeting, 

 one of these divinities employs Nala to declare his passion, and furnishes 

 him with the means and directions necessary for the accomplishment of the 

 object. Upon seeing him, however, and hearing the tale of love which he 

 related on behalf of another, the king's daughter fell in love with him, as 

 the very substance of that ideal form upon which she had long doted. He 

 was next acknowledged in the public assembly ; and after being married, 

 returned in triumph to his own capital and reigned in great splendour. 



