History of Bengali Language and Literature c10.s2.74

c10.s2.74

Such abuse, as I have said, stains that portion of the *kavi*-literature which had found favour in cities and large towns. In the cool recesses of the villages, the rustic folk assembled to hear tales of sacrifice, resignation, sufferings for love, and of tender domestic scenes sung by their unassuming bards. Nor do I know if anywhere else than in India the lowest stratum of society, which the *kaviwalas* mainly represented, could show so much spirituality, love, and tender pathos in their literature, chiefly contributed as this was by illiterate men of the lowest classes. The gentler classes, the dilettantes belonging to the aristocracy, favoured the *kaviwalas* in later times only to stamp this folk-lore with their depraved taste; but away from the town, the villages preserved unspoiled, the well of Hindu thought—undefiled, and fit to satisfy the spiritual thirst of those who were humble in spirit, kindly in disposition and who approached God as the Hindu wife approaches her husband,—in deep reverence and love.