History of Bengali Language and Literature c10.97

c10.97

Sundara, without taking permission of his royal father, went alone *incognito* and riding a noble horse reached the capital of Rājā Vira Siṃha. A large Bakula grove spread its shadow in the precincts of the city and the fragrance of its flower was carried on all sides by the pleasant evening breeze, when Sundara alighted from his horse, and sat in the grove, not knowing where to seek shelter for the night. At that moment a rather elderly woman whose charms were not altogether lost by years,—a courtezan and a coquette, happened to come there to gather flowers,—for Hirā was a flower-woman whose duty it was to make wreaths and garlands for the ladies of the Rājā's house at early dawn every day. She was charmed with the handsome appearance of the Prince and offered to lodge him for the night and as long as he might wish to do so, if he wanted to put up at her place. He called her aunt, and though she was not pleased with the prince for calling her so, as in her heart of hearts she entertained the hope of being flattered with a little attention from him, yet she showed him every hospitality at her house; but when she asked him who he was and what his mission was at Burdwan she could elicit no satisfactory reply. The Prince said he was a youngman who had taken a fancy to travel in various lands for the sake of pleasure.