Page:The Kural or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar.pdf/284



1081. The jewelled form that appeareth yonder, is it a Goddess ? or a peacock chosen from among its kind ? or is it simply a lovely maid ? Verily I am too dazed to tell.

1082. How would it fare with men if the fascinating siren of the solitudes assail them with a whole host behind her ? So fareth it with me when the lovely one returneth my look.

1083. I never knew Death before : I know it now: it weareth the form of a woman and hath large and battling eyes.

1084. She is simple and gracious, but yet her eyes are versed in the ways of waging war: for they drink the lives of those that look on her.

1085. Is it Death that I behold or simply eyes ? or is it the look of the gazelle ? for all three are to be found in the glance of this artless one.

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