XXIX.
Sakhī: Now hear me, daughter of a king,
For I have come to speak with you:
You have destroyed the life of precious Kāna,—
What work is this that you have wrought?
When day declined, I think,
You walked beside the water's edge,
And when you saw him, did embrace
Some maiden's neck, demurely smiling:
And showing him your moon-face,
You put him in a sorry plight.
Then suddenly you came away, before he saw you well
Now he is weeping, Wel-a-way.
Giving him just a glimpse of your breast,
You stole his heart:
Vidyāpati enquires: Beauty,
How shall Kānu live?
XXX.
Sakhī: Attend my teaching, artless maid,
And I shall give you good advice:
First you shall deck your hair with jewels,
And paint your curving eyes with sūrm.
Then you shall go to him with all your body folded close,
And seeming to be dumb, shall stay apart:
My dear, at first you shall not go anigh him,
But with wanton glances, fair one, shall awaken Love.
Hiding your breasts, your shoulders showing,
Your girdle knotted fast,
You shall appear offended, yet be loving,
You shall refrain desire, that ever springs afresh.
Says Vidyāpati: This is the first degree:
They that be worthy shall taste the fruit.