A SANSCRIT POEM OF SHRI HARSHA. 323 



(5th) Class ^tT Order ^ Genus Species "^ftwt 



\J\J\j\^\J-\ I - \J - \ \ \^ - \ \J\J<J \ \ |-w-|v^ v^- I ^ - 



O King victorious ! now awake from sleep, 

 And let the lovely Bhaimi feast thine eyes ; 

 For in this world, no greater bliss is known. 

 Than waking to behold one's dearest friend. 



The nineteenth book is written in this metre. 



Besides the above which sometimes vary in their species, several other 

 longer metres are used at the end of different books, as First Class and 

 Order, — Genus ^t^nfer Species m^^f^^^cr* ; and Genus w^f?r Species 

 ^TRi^r &c. ; but these are used to the extent of only a few stanzas. 



There are several characteristics in the sti/le of this poem worthy of 

 observation. It is diffuse, descriptive, figurative, often playful, and occa- 

 sionally interspersed with excellent remarks and moral reflections. 



It would be superfluous to adduce examples to prove that the style 

 of the Naisliadha is diffuse: it is sufficiently proved by the fact that what 

 is comprehended by Kalidasa in two books, is here extended to two and 

 twenty. It is to be remarked, however, that each poet aimed at an oppo- 

 site extreme ; the former labouring to reduce his narrative into as small 

 a compass as possible ; and the latter to expand and adorn it with a 

 great variety of poetic composition. — There are advantages to be derived 

 from the perusal of works which treat of the same subject in a different 

 style, the one amplifying and the other condensing it to the greatest ex- 

 tent : yet we are of opinion, that he is most to be commended for correct- 

 ness of style, and most likely to amuse and instruct his readers, who 

 avoiding these extremes, steers a middle course. It is in the description 

 of female beauty and charms that Shri Harsha. is prolix. When he 

 enters the harara, &c. he lingers, expatiates, and revels, till intoxicated 



For a specimen of this see the last Stanza quoted in this piece. 



