The Birth of Kumāra 3.37

3.37

dadau rasātpaṅkajareṇugandhi gajāya gaṇḍūṣajalaṃ kareṇuḥ |
ardhopabhuktena bisena jāyāṃ sambhāvayāmāsa rathāṅganāmā ||

On came the Archer-God, and at his side
The timid Reti, his own darling bride.
While breathing Nature showed how deep it felt,
'Neath Passion's glowing touch, the senses melt—
For there in eager love the wild bee dipp'd
In the dark flower-cup where his mistress sipp'd;
There with his horn the goat touched lovingly
His gentle mate, who closed her melting eye;
There from her trunk the elephant had poured
A lily-scented stream to cool her lord.
While the fond love-bird by the silver flood
Gave to his hen the tasted Lotus bud.
Full in his song the Minstrel stayed to sip
The heavenlier nectar of his darling's lip—
Pure pearls of heat had just distained the dye.
But flowery wine was sparkling in her eye.
How the young creeper's beauty charmed the view.
Fair as the fairest maid, as playful too!
Here some bright blossoms, lovelier than the rest.
In full round beauty matched her swelling breast;
Here in a thin bright line, some delicate spray,
Red as her lip, ravished the soul away—
And then how loving, and how close they hung
To the tall trees that fondly o'er them hung!
Bright, heavenly wantons poured the witching strain,
Quiring for Siva's ear, but all in vain—
No charmer's spell may check the firm control,
"Won by the Holy, o'er the impassioned soul.