SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
II. From Bengali
XXXIX
Hark how round you the instruments sound!
Of Gocul’s child
She danceth mistress of the fair arts sixty-four.
And her hands rhyme keeping time
Her smitten hands that still the fall restore.
And the tabors keep melody deep
And the heavy thrum
Of the measured drum
And anklets’ running cry their own slim music loving.
The waist bells sprinkle their silver tinkle
And bracelets gold that gems do hold;
Loud is the instruments’ din to madness moving.
And harps begin and the violin
And the five vessels
Where melody swells
Thro’ all the gamut move and various moods express.
And over and under the twydrums thunder,
With whose noise the vessels five mix and embrace.
From loosened tresses that toil undresses
And floating whirls
On the shoulders of girls
The jasmine garlands’ buds sprinkle the vernal night.
Ah revels of Spring! with powerless wing
These verses grieve, not reaching your delight.