Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/96

60 Without a charge; for all the poor
 * Ten miles around thy sacred shrine

Know that thou keepest open door,
 * And praise that generous hand of thine:

But let my errand first be told,
 * For bracelets sold to thine this day,

So much thou owest me in gold,
 * Hast thou the ready cash to pay?

The bracelets were enamelled,—so
 * The price is high."—"How! Sold to mine?

Who bought them, I should like to know."
 * "Thy daughter, with the large black eyne,

Now bathing at the marble ghat."
 * Loud laughed the priest at this reply,

"I shall not put up, friend, with that;
 * No daughter in the world have I,

An only son is all my stay;
 * Some minx has played a trick, no doubt,

But cheer up, let thy heart be gay.
 * Be sure that I shall find her out."

"Nay, nay, good father, such a face
 * Could not deceive, I must aver;

At all events, she knows thy place,
 * 'And if my father should demur