The World of Courtesans c13.15

c13.15

The summer season was hot and the wind scorching. In this season the courtesans who were loyal to the king received from him a present of covered carts, palanquins, and sleeping cots with jewelled legs. They found happiness in the pleasure gardens and received *chauris* made of yak-hair, golden betel boxes, and sharp swords. These courtesans drank wine from goblets held by their maid-servants. They were soon quite drunk. When they tried to sing the words refused to come, their red eyes indicated their anger; perspiration gathered on their foreheads marked with the *tilakas* and the eyebrows pointed downward.