eauty of this tree when in full bloom. It is, of course, a
general favourite with the poets of India.

_The strings of pearl._]

"Then, too, the pearl from out its shell
Unsightly, in the sunless sea
(As 'twere a spirit, forced to dwell
In form unlovely) _was set free_,
And round the neck of woman threw
_A light it lent and borrowed too_."
MOORE--_Loves of the Angels._

Moore is frequently the best interpreter, unconsciously, of an Indian
poet's thought. It is worth remarking, that the Sanskrit word _mukta_,
pearl (literally _freed_), signifies also the _spirit_ released from
mundane existence, and re-integrated with its divine original.

_The sweetest note that e'er the Koeil poured._] The _Kokila_, or
_Koeil_, the black or Indian cuckoo, is the bulbul or nightingale of
Hindustan. It is also the herald of spring, like its European
namesake, and the female bird is the especial messenger of Love.

_When holy Narad._] A divine sage, son of Brahma.

_The holy bull._] The animal on which the God ['S]iva rides, as Indra
on the elephant.

_Who takes eight various forms._] ['S]iva is called Wearer of the
Eight Forms, as being identical with the Five Elements, Mind,
Individuality, and Crude Matter.

_Where the pale moon on ['S]iva's forehead._] ['S]iva's crest is the
new moon, which is sometimes described as forming a third eye in his
forehead. We shall find frequent allusions to this in the course of
the poem.

_CANTO SECOND._

_While impious Tarak._] A demon who, by a long course of austerities,
had acquired power even over the Gods. This Hindu notion is familiar
to most of us from Southey's "Curse of Kehama."

_Whose face turns every way._] Brahma is represented with four faces,
one towards each point of the compass.

_The mystic Three._] "The triad of qualities," a philosophical term
familiar to all the systems of Hindu speculation. They are thus
explained in the _Tattwa Samasa_, a text-book of the Sankhya
school:--"Now it is asked, What is the 'triad of qualities'? It is
replied, The triad of qualities consists of 'Goodness,' 'Foulness,'
and 'Darkness.' By the 'triad of qualities' is meant the 'three
qualities.' Goodness is endlessly diversified, accordingly as it is
exemplified in calmness, lightness, complacency, attainment of wishes,
kindliness, contentment, patience, joy, and the like; summarily, it
consists of happiness. 'Foulness' is endlessly div