Pillowed on crossed arms, she brought to mind
The events of the morn, till coming where
The prince with countenance stern contemptuous looked
On her and turned away, her bosom burned
Once more with dire revenge, and in the fit
She like a fury lifted up her head; and saw
The king seated beside her, anxiously
Looking over the prostrate form before.
The Queen at once withdrew her face and dropped
It over again upon her crossed arms.
"What means this girl," he said, "this torn robe
And broken bangles strewn upon the floor!
And why withdraw thy face in haste, as if
You saw some hateful fiend in me? Is there
No better bedding than a floor? Arise
And speak! For me the riddle is hard to read."
But when he held her arm to lift her up,
O' touch me not my lord," she cried, I'm fouled,
Fouled by a stranger's touch within thy house,
Like harlot slighted. Ah! 'tis woman's fate
To bide by every ill" "Slighted and fouled!
And who the wretch that touched? For by my life
Tomorrow's morning shall not see him whole!"
"Vow not so, King ! for why should one be blamed
That fate decreed me this? First brought by guile,
I have to brook indignity in thy Court.
This morn, thy son, knowing you gone to hunt,
Came with the story of a pigeon fled ;
గురుజాడలు
12
కవితలు
