312 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II., PART II. 



made, I am led to suppose that this was written shortly 

 after the last. I select the following as a specimen of its 

 style :— 



®Q<5iQdi tsd'QDtf} @©^<5i 3De)©e3i5j cgcSV— 



Hail ! beauteous dove, the subject of my lay ; 



Long may'st tliou live, through heaven's blue vault to stray ! 



When on thy sacred mission thou had'st sped, 



With plumage white and feet of roseate red : 



Like one of those pearl-gleaming shells that rest 



On coral stems in milky ocean's breast ; 



Like the star-spangled, clear, autumnal sky ; 



When borne on gentlest breeze thou passed'st by, 



Did not the gazers hail a lily given, 



Full-blown and bright — a blossom dropt from heaven ? 



Did'st thou not seem, with thy soft pinion's quiver, 



A lotus-bud from the celestial river ? 



Did they not off'rings make, and homage pay, 



As unto Buddha's brightest, purest ray ? 



Did not e'en goddesses, delighted kiss, 



What seemed a flower from Indra's bowers of bliss ? 



Hast thou unscath'd pursued thy airy flight ? 



Hail noble friend, dear to our longing sight ! 



