SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
II. From Bengali
XXII
Beauty stood bathing in the river
When I beheld her – Love’s whole quiver
Pierced my heart with fivefold fire.
Her curls flung back from the face of my desire
Rained great tears as tho’ the night
Stood by and wept in fear of the moon’s light.
To every limb her wet robe kissed and clung.
His heart had burned, even his grown young
Seeing through her dress her marvellous limbs made bare.
Her fair twin breasts were river-birds
Whose language is three amorous words.
It seemed that pitying heaven had to one shore
Brought the sweet lovers thence to part no more.
Held them fast bound within one golden arm,
As if some noise should startle the sweet pair
And they take flight from her.
O amorous boy, be not afraid –
For youth like thee heaven gave this wondrous maid.