TO PROFESSOR A. V. WILLIAMS JACKSON
My Dear Guru—That you consented, on one of the many occasions that I have been privileged to be your guest, to accept the dedication of this translation of India's oldest formal romance, has ever been to me a source of keenest joy. It is to you that I owe my knowledge of India and her sister land, Iran; and to you I am indebted, as to a guru indeed—that word which no tongue can truly translate—for so much that makes for true manhood, without which, as without charity, mere knowledge is but 'as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.' I have tried to make my work, here as always, worthy both of you and of Columbia, to which we are each so loyal. Generously you have helped me, even when your leisure was most limited, and gratefully I acknowledge your aid ; for of you I can say with all my heart, as the Irish host of legend cried to their hero, Cailte, Adrae buaid ocus bennachtain; is mor in fis ocus in faillsiugud firinde doberi duind ar each ni fiarfaigther dit, 'Success and benison attend thee; great is the lore and the disclosure of truth which thou givest us upon all that is asked of thee!'
