SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
II. From Bengali
VI
In elder’s eyes’ she brooks not stay,
Half-clad no more her body but alway
She covers her beauty1 most maidenly.
Yet with young girls when stayeth2 she
Knowing her ripened child and budding may
They plague her with sweet mockery.
Madhav, for thee I wooed the sight
Of this fair flower; whom some delight
Child to call, but most agree
That woman’s morning bloom has she.
When of Love’s rites she hears and lovers’ play
She turns her downcast eyes another way.
O but her ears drink greedily.
Should with more words one tease her shame,
With tears and angry smiles she utters blame.
Who is wise in love alone knoweth
The way of a girl, the poet sayeth.
1 limbs
2 bideth