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26 Do I not drink in the scent of the blue lotus? and endure the jasmine-scented evening winds? Hear I not the humming of the bees upon the lotus pond? That you should thus openly taunt me, saying, "He is wanting in firmness in difficulties." (After considering.) Or rather, it was not so wrongly said, my friend Átreya, for am I not really wanting in firmness, since I cannot bear even flowery arrows, shot by a bodiless archer, woman-hearted that I am! How then can I say to you, "I am firm?"

Since he confesses his want of firmness, he reveals how excessively troubled his heart must be. How shall I divert it? (Aloud.) O friend, how is it that, neglecting your parents, you have again come hither already?

It is a suitable question. To whom should I tell it, if not to you? This very day I had a dream. I saw yon loved one—(pointing with a finger)—seated on a moonstone seat in this sandal-creeper bower, in tears, as if reproaching me in some love quarrel. I wish, therefore, to spend the remainder of the day in this sandal-creeper bower, made pleasant by the late presence of the loved one, as seen in my dream. Come, then, we will go.

[They walk about.

O lady, there is a noise like footsteps.