Love
He who was wont to wanton with a flute, has cast away
Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen (1915) · From Bangiya Padabali (trans. 1915)
Dūtikā:
He who was wont to wanton with a flute, has cast away
his jewels,
He who was wont to wear a yellow weed, now grovels at
your feet,--
There was a time your eyes would overflow, might you
not see him.
Now you will not so much as look upon his face!
Beauty, abandon your bitter mood.
Lusty Kānu is praying at your feet:
By happy hap this amorous Shyām is yours.
By happy hap the tide of spring,--
By happy hap this love's attainment,
By happy hap this blissful night,--
Damsel disdainful, will you forsake your Krishna's body,
And spend your life henceforth in lonely weeping?
These be love's ways, says Vidyāpati,--
Yet prayer's denial deserves no praise.
Codex Note
Wilfulness, LXI
Cite this poem
MLA
Vidyapati. “He who was wont to wanton with a flute, has cast away.” Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vidyapati/60/.
Chicago
Vidyapati. “He who was wont to wanton with a flute, has cast away.” Translated by Ananda Coomaraswamy and Arun Sen. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vidyapati/60/.
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