28. Look there, O lord! to the slender stalks of the lotuses, supporting the burden of the water on the lotus leaves; like yon tender damsels carrying the water pots on their heads.
29. Being asked why they were carrying those of lotus flowers and leaves and for what use; they replied, to make cooling beds for assuaging the fever heat of the love sick wives of travellers from their homes.
30. These impassioned damsels, with their swollen breasts and youthful dalliance, and the motions and gestures of their bodies, served to excite the remembrance of the separated brides, whom the travellers had left behind at their far distant abodes.
31. Ah surely, says a traveller, that dear one of mine, must now be weeping and wailing, or falling down and rolling on the ground, at the sight of yonder dark cloud in the sky in my absence.
32. Lo there the lines of black bees, fluttering on the cups of lotuses, and the little bees giddy with the dulcet liquor of flowers; the gentle breezes are blowing on all sides, and wafting the fragrance of the opening blossoms; while the leaves of trees are dancing to the tunes of the rustling winds.
CHAPTER CXIX.
Lamentation of the Lovelorn Traveller.
Argument:—The lovesick traveller, relating the woes of his separation to his beloved one.
The companions continued:—The traveller having returned home, and finding his beloved one by the arbour of mandara trees, began to relate to her the pangs of his protracted separation.
2. Listen to my marvellous tale, said he, and what happened to me one day, when I sought to send some one to thee with my tidings.
3. I sought long but sought in vain, at the time of my painful separation, to send one to thee at this house of mine; but where such a one be found in the world, who would take a severe interest in the affliction of another, for the sake of charity or mere friendship?