Page:The Indian Antiquary Vol 2.djvu/47

 February, 1673.] VAISHNAVA POETS OF BENGAL. 39 Herata na herata sahacbari majh. Sana, suua, Madhab, tohari dohai! Baya aparup aju pekhalu Rai; Mukharuclii manohar, adhara surang, Phutala bandhuli kamalaka sang. Locliana janu thira bhpnga akar Madhu matala kiye urai* na par. Bhauaka bhahgima thori janu. Kajare sajala Madan dhanu Bhanayc Bidyapati dautik bacliane Bikasala anga najayat dharane.—I. iv. 5. (80.) Translation. Sporting, (or) not sporting, on seeing folk (she feels) shame; Seeing, (or) not seeing, (she remains) among her companions. Hear, hear, Madhab, the cry for help to thee! In ill guise have I seen Rai to-day ; The charming brilliance of her face, her tinted iip (Were as though) the bandhuli flowered beside the lotus. (Her) eye like a fixed bee in shape, (Which) drunk with honey flies not away. The slight curve of her eyebrows (is) as though Love had adorned his bow with lamp-black. Quoth Bidyapati—A messenger’s word indeed ! The budding limbs are not being embraced. The next example is historically interesting as containing the names of the master’s patrons. Legend says that Lachhima Debi was to Bidya¬ pati what Beatrice was to Dante, and Laura to Petrarch; and it is hinted that she was some¬ thing more; but this latter insinuation seems to be contradicted by his attachment to the hus¬ band, Sib Singh, so I prefer not to believe it. IV. Sundara badane sindura bindu sanala chikura bhar; Janu rabi sasi sangahi uyala pichhe kari andhiyar Rama he adhik chandrima bhel: Kata na jatane kata adabhuta bihi bahi tore del. Uraja ankura chire jhapayasi thor tlior darsay ; Kata na jatane kata nagopasi hime girinalukay. Chanchala lochane banka neliarini anjana 6obha- na tay, Janu in dibara pabane pelila ali bhare ultay. Bhana Bidyapati sunaka jubati e sab e rflpa jan, Ray Sib 8ingh, RfipanarAyana, LachhimS Debi paraman.—III. xxiv. 7. (1352.) Translation. On (her) fair face the vermilion spot, black (her) weight of hair, As though the sun and moon rose together driv¬ ing away the darkness. Cho. Ah lady! the moonlight has increased : With what labour how many charms fate has given to thee! Thy budding breast thou coverest with thy robe, showing it a very little; With how much soever labour thou hidest it, the snowy mountain cannot be hid. Looking sidelong with glancing eye, adorned with collyrium, Like a lotus shaken by the wind, tilted by the weight of the bees. Quoth Bidyapati—Listen, maiden, know that such as is all this, Rai Sib Singh and Rfipnarayan, (such is) Laclihimk Debi in truth. V. (Description of Spring.) Aola ritupati raja Basant, Dhdola alikula madhabi panth ; Dinakara kirana bhel paugand ; Keiara kusuma dharala herna dand, Nripa asana naba pithala pat; Ivanchana kusuma chhatra dliaru math ; M auli rasala mukuta bhel tay, Samukhahi kokila panchama gay. Sikhikula nachat alikula jantr, An dwijakula parhu asish mantr. Chandratap ure kusuma parag, Malaya paban saha bhel anurag. Kunda billi taru dharala nisan, Patala tula asoka dalaban, Kinsuka labangalata cka sang, Heri sisira ritu age dila bhang ; Sainya sajala madhu makhyik kul, Sisiraka sabahun karala nirmfil. Udharala sarasija paola pran, Nija nabadale kara asana dan. Naba Brindabana rajye bihar ; Bidyapati kaha samayaka sar.—III. xxvi. 7. (1450.) Translation. The lord of the seasons has come, King Spring ; the bees hasten towards the Madhavi : the rays of the sun have reached their youthful prime : the kesara flower has set up its golden sceptre, a king’s throne is the fresh couch of its leaves ; the kanchan flower holds the um¬ brella over his head, its fragrant garland is a crown to him ; in front (of him) the koil sings its sweetest note. The tribe of peacocks dances (like) a swarm of bees, (like) another crowd of