CXIII.
Rādhā: I never thought that love would break,
Or that the love of any worthy one might be a stone.
Therefore it is this great misfortune has befallen me,
I cannot fathom what Fate has wrought.
And tell my friend, my dear, with folded hands,
'It is but fruitless to destroy the flower of love.'
If he should answer, 'You are senseless,'
Say that I gave my heart with a free good will.
Vidyāpati declares: I am amazed;
He whom you love, it seems, is blind!
CXIV.
Rādhā: Explain this all to Kānu, dearest friend:
'If you who sowed the seeds of love, destroy the flower,
In what way shall I live?
'Just as a drop of oil floats on the surface of the water,
Such is the likeness of your love:
Just as the water on the sand immediately vanishes,
Such is the way of your affection.'
I was a woman of honour, and am become a wanton
Since his words beguiled me:
I with my own hands shaved my head
Because of Kānu's love.
Deep in my heart I am grieved, like the wife of a thief,
And hide my face within my veil:
Like the eager moth's that flings itself on the flame
Was the fruit I sought to enjoy.
Vidyāpati says: This is the way of the Kali age,
Let no one wonder thereat:
Everyone reaps the fruit of his folly
Who puts himself in another s power.
CXV.
Rādhā: I am dying, am dying, I die indeed, my dear:
To whom shall I leave my Kānu, my storehouse of treasure?
As many as may be, dear friends, remain by me,
And when I am dead, write Krishna's name along my limbs.
And Lalita, friend of my life, whisper such spells in my ears
That my body may die to the sound of Krishna's name:
Nor burn nor cast in the waters Rādhā's body,
But hang me high on a tamāl bough, when I am dead.
The tamāl tree is of Krishna's hue,
There let my body ever rest:
If ever again my darling comes to Brindāban,
I shall come to life at the sight of my dear.
If I may not see his moon-fair face again,
I shall cast off my life in the fire of love!
Vidyāpati says: Hearken, fair damsel,
Be patient of heart, you shall meet your Murāri.