Sarangadhara - Part I
The labouring dawn gave out the child of light
Whose infant became played O'er the river's breast
And woke the bees asleep in lotus bowers,
While from Godavary's bank in merry whirls
A thousand pigeons starred the morning sky.
"Mine that, that farthest speck," one cries; "And mine
Is out of sight," another; but a third,
"Mine surely wheels the best"; and many so
Scanned with their weary eyes, like flying hopes
Their favourite birds. The prince at last as if
He said, "let all that be, now see now mine
Doth wheel," with one warm kiss left his. At once
Rose over the air one deafening cheer; all eyes
Were up, when lo ! no flight, no merry whirl,
The frightened bird rushed onward as if mad
And perched himself upon the palace heights.
The prince, concerned, his min'ster comrade called,
And said, "Didst thou not mark my pigeon perch
Upon those spires gilt by the morning sun ?
They are the Queen's; and shall fetch it back."
But, then the boy-dewan held by the robe
Prince Saranga, and whispered in his ear
"The King's abroad to hunt and thou art fails."
Fool !" thought the prince as on he rushed, "to
Breed Such thought like this."
But at his sight up rose
Chittrangi, once his bride destined but whom
A father's love his mother made, and said,
"O Sir what favour this ! sooner we though
Could sampang blooms invite the bee, than thee
These mansions poor. Pray seat thyself upon
This silken throne." She slowly washed his feet
With waters pure in golden vessels held,
And washing, "Many a way the presence here
This day, gives bundless joy to me. They sire
To try his aged strength in youthful sports,
To hunt is gone; and in thy beauteous form
I see the king to lusty youth transformed."
Then softly pressing dry with robes she wore
His feet, with smile on lip and blush on cheek,
"What interest one may feel in these, that once
Was bride destined ?" Then flashed through the Prince's mind.
"The King's abroad to hunt and art fair."
But yet he thought "That may not be."
And she went on, "To whom but one beloved
I pride would feel to show my pleasure groves
[...] Read more
poem by Gurajada Apparao (1883)
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
