The Birth of Kumāra 7.20

7.20

tasyāḥ sujātotpalapatrakānte prasādhikābhirnayane nirīkṣya |
na cakṣuṣoḥ kāntiviśeṣabuddhyā kālāñjanaṃ maṅgalamityupāttam ||

"Lay this dear foot upun thy lover's head
Crowned with the Moon!"—the laughing maiden said.
Who dyed her Lady's feet—no word spake she,
But beat her with her flower-wreath playfully.
Then tiring-women took the jetty dye
To guard, not deck, the beauty of her eye
Whose languid half-shut glances might compare
With Lotus leaves just opening to the air;
And as fresh gems adorned her neck and arms,
So quickly changing grew the Maiden's charms.
Like some fair plant where bud succeeding bud
Unfolds new beauty; or a silver flood
Where gay birds follow quickly; or like Night,
When crowding stars come forth in all their light.
Oft as the mirror would her glance beguile
She longed to meet her Lord's approving smile—
Her tasteful skill the timid maid essays
To win one smile of love, one word of praise.