[I omit Canto V. which corresponds to chapter XI. in Gorresio’s edition. That scholar justly observes: “The eleventh chapter, Description of Evening, is certainly the work of the Rhapsodists and an interpolation of later date. The chapter might be omitted without any injury to the action of the poem, and besides the metre, style, conceits and images differ from the general tenour of the poem; and that continual repetition of the same sounds at the end of each hemistich which is not exactly rime, but assonance, reveals the artificial labour of a more recent age.” The following sample will probably be enough. Fair shone the moon, as if to lend His cheering light to guide a friend, And, circled by the starry host, Looked down upon the wild sea-coast. The Vánar cheiftain raised his eyes, And saw him sailing through the skies Like a bright swan who joys to take His pastime on a silver lake; Fair moon that calms the mourner’s pain. Heaves up the waters of the main, And o’er the life beneath him throws A tender light of soft repose, The charm that clings to Mandar’s hill, Gleams in the sea when winds are still, And decks the lilly’s opening flower, Showed in that moon her sweetest power. I am unable to show the difference of style in a translation.] Canto VI. The Court. The palace gates were guarded well By many a Rákshas sentinel, And far within, concealed from view, Were dames and female retinue For charm of form and face renowned; Whose tinkling armlets made a sound, Clashed by the wearers in their glee, Like music of a distant sea. The hall beyond the palace gate, Rich with each badge of royal state, Where lines of noble courtiers stood, Showed like a lion-guarded wood. There the wild music rose and fell Of drum and tabor and of shell, Through chambers at each holy tide By solemn worship sanctified. Through grove and garden, undismayed, From house to house the Vánar strayed, And still his wondering glances bent On terrace, dome, and battlement: Then with a light and rapid tread Prahasta’s(807) home he visited, And Kumbhakarṇa’s(808) courtyard where A cloudy pile rose high in air; And, wandering o’er the hill, explored The garden of each Rákshas lord. Each court and grove he wandered through, Then nigh to Rávaṇ’s palace drew. She-demons watched it foul of face, Each armed with sword and spear and mace, And warrior fiends of every hue, A strange and fearful retinue. There elephants in many a row, The terror of the stricken foe. Huge Airávat,(809) deftly trained In battle-fields, stood ready chained. Fair litters on the ground were set Adorned with gems and golden net. Gay bloomy creepers clothed the walls; Green bowers were there and picture halls, And chambers made for soft delight. Broad banners waved on every height. And from the roof like Mandar’s hill The peacock’s cry came loud and shrill.(810) Canto VII. Rávan’s Palace. He passed within the walls and gazed On gems and gold that round him blazed, And many a latticed window bright With turkis and with lazulite. Through porch and ante-rooms he passed Each richer, fairer than the last; And spacious halls where lances lay, And bows and shells, in fair array: A glorious house that matched in show All Paradise displayed below. Upon the polished floor were spread Fresh buds and blossoms white and red, And women shone, a lovely crowd, As lightning flashes through a cloud: A palace splendid as the sky Which moon and planets glorify: Like earth whose towering hills unfold Their...