SRI AUROBINDO

Translations

from Sanskrit and Other Languages

II. From Bengali

Songs of Bidyapati

XXVI

Upon a thorn when the flowers bloom,

Poor bee athirst for the rich perfume,

Cruel thy thirst, yet thou mayst not drink.

Upon the jasmine’s honied brink

Lo! the bee hovers and will have

Heart’s pleasure nor cares his life to save.

O Radha, flower of honey, have pity

And grant thy lover’s sweet entreaty,

Pilgrim of honey thy lover – no more

In virgin shame¹ thy nectarous store

Deny. Alas! in thy rich bloom

The thirsty bee finds never a room.

O jasmine, save thy honey breast

He hath forsworn all other rest.

On thee the sin, beautiful Rai,

Of the poor bee’s death shall surely lie.

O from thy lips the dear boon give

Of heaven’s honey and he will live.

¹ maiden pride

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