10 CHILDHOOD. pervading, whose shadow is the world; who has become incarnate and done many things, only for the love that he bears to his faithful people; all-gracious and compassionate to the humble; who in his mercy ever refrains from anger against those whom he loves and knows to be his own; restorer of the past; protector of the poor ; all good, all-powerful, the lord Raghuráj. In this belief the wise sing the glory of Hari, and their song thus becomes holy and merito- rious. I too, bowing my head to Ráma's feet, am emboldened to sing his fame, following a path which has been made easy by the divine bards who have trodden it before me. Dohá 18. As when a king has prepared a bridge over a broad stream, an ant, insig- nificant as it is, is able to cross without difficulty. Chaupái. Ih this manner re-assuring myself, I undertake to recount Ráma's charm- ing adventures, as thay have been reverently told by Vyása and the other great poets, whose lotus feet I ndora, praying, Fuifil ye my desire. I reverence also the poets of these latter days, who have sung of Paghupati, bards of high intel- ligence, who have written in Prákrit and the vulgar tongue. All who have been in time past, or who now are, or who hereafter shall be, I bow to all in the utmost good faith and sincerity. in assemblies of good men my song may be honcared! If the good and wise will not honour it, the silly poot has had ail his labour in vain. The only fame, or poetry, or power, that is of ary worth, is that which like Ganges water is universally approved. The incongrnity between Rára's glory and my rude speech makes me doubt; but by your fevour all will turn out well; for even coarse clcth, if embroidered with silk, becomes beautiful. Be kind enough to think of this, and my style will then match the exosllence af my theme. Be propiticus and grant this boon, that Doh. 19. A clear style and an exalted theme are both commendable ; and when they are combined, an enemy even, forgetting his natural hostility, will repeat the strain. But such a combination is not to be acquired without genius, and genius I have none ; so again and again I beg of you to bear with me while I sing the glcry of Hari. The great poets are like the swans sporting in the Mánasa lake of Hari's deeds ; look on me as a well-meaning child and make allowances. 1 Ghartb-nawáz, This is the first Persian word that has occurred in the poem.
