৩। মধুসূদন রাজনারায়ণকে
Here is the First Book of the Meghanad. I hope you will find the writing logible; you need not return the sheets, I have another copy by me. I need scarcely say that I shall look out with feverish anxioty to hear from you, and yet I should be sorry to hasten you. You must weigh every thought, every image, every expression, every line, and all this cannot be done in an hour. I believe I have convinced you that I am not one of those touchy fools who do not like to have their faults pointed out to them. By Jove, I court such candid and friendly criticism. Go to work without any misgiving old boy. Whether you place the brightest laurel-crown on his head (the brightest of all the crowns yet worn in Bengal,) or kick him out from the holy temple of fame as an impudent intruder, you will find your humble friend a very submissive dog! I hope you will not spare anything in the shape of weak or unpoetical thoughts, weak and nerveless expressions, and rough lines.You will find that your criticism on Tilottama has not fallen on barren ground. In the present work you will see nothing in the shape of “Erotic Similos"; no silly allusions to the loves of the Lotus and the Moon; nothing about fixed lightnings, and not a single reference to the “incestnous love of Radha.”...
I sent you a few lines, the other day, as the exordium of the Second Book of Meghanad. I have since changed my mind, and the second Book will be quite a different thing from what you probably expect. I have done nearly two hundred lines. I suppose you read the Bible. Wel!l I the stars in their course are fighting against Sisera. I am afraid there will be no Sudden Examination next year. It seems to be the decree of fate that I should write idle verses, and not make money. If nothing interrupts me, you may expect to see Meghanad finished by the and of the year. It is to be in five Books.
Adieu! Write to me after you have read the verses carefully. You are welcome to show them to your friends, who, I trust, are, by this time, great admirers of Blank Verse! In Calcutta, the sensation created is by no means inconsiderable. Hear what one critic says:—“I read your book with feelings of
