The Birth of Kumāra 3.23

3.23

sa mādhavenābhimatena sakhyā ratyā ca sāśaṅkamanuprayātaḥ |
aṅgavyayaprārthitakāryasiddhiḥ sthāṇvāśramaṃ haimavataṃ jagāma ||

He spake, and Kama bowed his bright head down,
And took his bidding like a flowery crown—
Above his wavy curls great Indra bent.
And fondly touched his soldier ere he went.
With that hard hand—but, O, how gentle now!—
That fell so heavy on his elephant's brow.
Then for that snow-crowned hill he turned away.
Where all alone the heavenly Hermit lay—
His fearful Reti and his comrade Spring
Followed the guidance of Love's mighty King—
There will he battle in unwonted strife.
Return a conqueror or be reft of life.