No. 11.— 1858-9.] SINHALESE RHETORIC. 



309 



The verb is the next in order, and we select the following 

 illustration from the Kdvyasekharaya : — 



$^mi^i)&^&gdzz(^&zni& (33 



"The babe sports about, exhibiting his budding teeth, smiling most 

 lovely, chattering most tender expressions, and daubing (himself) all 

 over his body with dust." 



Here the word ©sag ' sports' is particularly expressive 

 of the habit of children, and contributes much to the vivacity 

 of the expression. If instead of the poet had used <®©§ 



" runs about " the expression would have been tame and 

 weak. 



In adjectives the same author gives a beautiful example, 

 in describing the virtues of King Parakrama Bahu : 



"An ocean in profound learning— the Mem in firm steadfast qualities 

 — a moon in gentleness — these three virtues did he possess." 



The words zz6tz6, and ©£33© are, happily chosen ; 



the first conveys the depth of his erudition as vast as ' the 

 fathomless profound': the second his firmness and un- 

 wavering resolution, as steadfast as the great Mandara, 

 mountain ; and the third his amiability of disposition, as 

 gentle as the 'moon beams.' 



Another mode of contributing to the vivacity of style is 

 by the adoption of rhetorical tropes. Of these "comparison" 

 is one ; and may be described as presenting a parallel 

 bet ween the case in hand, and some other that is calculated 

 to call forth such emotion. 



There are several kinds of comparisons. Where a com- 

 parison is instituted, the resemblance in a certain quality 

 being stated, the figure is a simile, e.g : 



S)(23^z©o£)S)® d 

 I 



