NO. 5. 1850.] THE ELU LANGUAGE. 



309 



Selalikini Sandese (e3i<§gaS-€#©^@<£®e£). 

 "An epistle per Gracula religiosa" 

 Well indeed may this work be compared to the MeghaDuta 

 of Kalidasa. The writer's thoughts, brilliant and original, 

 sparkle as we go along his elegant and flowing rhymes. 

 Both the ear and the mind are at once satisfied. His lan- 

 guage is free, and has a fascination which words cannot 

 describe. His illustrations are truly original and lively. 

 We shall present the reader with the following specimen : — 



£>3D@G0 g@>2S5Ssf @^3§q 253(3 

 <^S3@>3D2£5e3 o)ig<g253i^D @^3$)&S?) 23<5^g 



e3ie3 ag®© <^2£bo qeSs^D 6«Do© <€&* 



Hail wond'rous bird ! whose wisdom's pow'r is knowa 



To equal theirs before the royal throne — 



Bird of the sweet and richly varied lay, 



Long may'st thou flourish 'midst thy fellows gay ! 



0 The above, which is the opening address of the poem, is what is 

 called csiSSzg, Seheli, consisting of, first, a blank verse ; second, a verse 

 whose four lines are of different feet, except the second and third, 

 which not only rhyme but are equal in their number of feet ; third, 

 half a stanza followed by, fourth, a complete stanza. Of this genus 

 there are divers species. 



f For this, as well as the last translation into English verse, I am in- 

 debted to Mr. J. R. Blake, and for the following to Mr. A. M. Ferguson. 



N 2 



