Tagore, Joteendro Mohun; Saur¯ındramohana Ṭhākura [Editor]: Flights of fancy in prose and verse (Calcutta, 1881)

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THE RAJPOOTNEE'S SONG.

ON THE OCCASION OF THE FESTIVAL OF CAMDEV*

I.

Sweet Spring is now ended—the Summer wind blows,
So weave we the chaplet of Champac and Rose,
Chameli and Magra in garlands we twine,
For this is the Feast of Kandurva divine.

II.

God of the bright bow! we hail thee with joy,
May'st thou add to our peace, and our sorrows destroy,
Thou who canst fill all creation with mirth,
Thou who hast power o'er heaven and earth.

in.

Glory to Cam !—thou the loveliest still,
Thou who e'en sage minds with raptures can fill ;
Though of sweet flowers thine arrows be made,
Even great Shiva their power hath obeyed.

IT.

We are but women, by nature made weak,
'Tis therefore thus humbly thy favor we seek;
Grant us this boon, that our lov'd lords may never
Regard us unkindly, but love us for ever.

v.

Then, oh Ruler of hearts ! sincerely shall we,
Each year, with fresh spirits, pay homage to thee ;
Only grant us this boon, which thus humbly we crave,
And with songs shall we honor the Feast of Gamdev.

* The Hindu Cupid.