Blossoms of Longing: Ancient Verses of Love and Longing

Ancient verses of lobe and lament translated from the Old Javanese. The works excerpted in this volume cover a broad range of texts drawn from the poetic tradition of the kakawin, works with an epic character written in Old Javanese, but employing techniques of versification based on Indian models. The poems in this collection are drawn from a larger selection of Old Javanese poetic works in kakawin form collected by the late P.J. Zoetmulder, thanks to whose insights we understand their aim to be a spiritual exercise, a quest for union with the divine as well as mastery of the magical power of words that ensured literary products performed a function no less valuable than warriors in securing the peace and prosperity of the realm. Translations From The Old Javanese By Thomas M. Hunter. Old Javanese (kawi) In Balinese Script And English On Facing Pages.