SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
II. From Bengali
XVIII
A star of the red ceruse,
As tho’ the moon with the sun to aid
Were arisen and darkness hung afraid
Behind in her burden of great, dark hair.
O woman of moonlight rarer than nature’s,
O delicate body, wonderful features,
Whence did Fate build you with effort made fair?
The buds of her flowerlike breasts between
Her robe’s white folds were a little seen.
The snows may cover the high bright hill,
Hidden it is not, strive as you will.
From her darkened eyes, her shy look roving
On lids love-troubled tenderly burned,
Like the purple lilies winds were moving
By the weight of a bee overturned.
And the lyre made sweet in the year’s sweet end,
To Lachhima, lady of Mithila city,
And Shiva Singha the King, his friend.