640 SACCOUNTALA. 



follow my footsteps, and let the zephyrs shed around me the most 

 inebriating perfumes. 



te Somewhat reassured by the promise of Indra, who accedes to her 

 desires, the lovely nymph descends to earth, and stops not far from the 

 wild retreat of Visonamatra ; and on a smooth green sward, from whence 

 she may be seen by the holy hermit, she began to play the wanton, 

 measuring her steps in a wild cadenced movement. Maronta breathes 

 an air of perfume over the flowing folds of her robe, which are whiter 

 than the fresh rays of the peaceful star of night, and occasions a volup- 

 tuous disorder, which Menaca, as if yielding to a sentiment of modesty, 

 increases by feigning to repair it. 



" Unhappily for the holy man, his looks are directed to the nymph at 

 this dangerous moment. A desire which he cannot overcome seizes 

 hold of his senses, and letting fall from his hands the profound Veda, he 

 flies towards the enchantress, who easily induces him to inhabit her 

 hermitage. 



<c Several months are thus passed in a state of voluptuous delight, 

 and Menaca soon perceives that she bears hi her bosom a pledge of their 

 amour. Feeling the moment approach that was to make her a mother, 

 the perfidious fair, directing her burdened steps to a solitary thicket on 

 the banks of the Malini, gave birth to a charming girl, whom she in- 

 humanly abandoned on a bed of moss and flowers, and triumphantly 

 returned to the celestial court of Sacra. 



" ' As I proceeded to the sacred stream/ continned Canoua, ' to make 

 my ablutions, I saw the poor little creature asleep on its flowery couch, 

 as if protected by a crowd of Sacountas,* who, in their circular flight, 

 hovering around the head of a divinity, gently agitated the air for cool- 

 ness. I took her in my arms, and carried her to my hermitage, where I 

 had her nursed with care, and brought up with the tenderest solicitude, 

 giving her the name of Saccountala, in memory of the charming birds 

 who seemed to act as her protectors. 



" ' Such, venerable Brahman, is the nature of the ties which unite us, 

 and such is the reason why I call Saccountala my daughter, and why 

 she in return gives me the endearing name of father.' 



" Thus ended the recital which the virtuous Canoua gave in my pre- 

 sence to his guest," added Saccountala with modesty, " and my lord is 

 in possession of all the details on which he required information." 



" Yes, too amiable girl, yes, I have listened with transport to these 

 enchanting details, which prove to me that thou belongest to the heroic 

 caste of Kchatryas, and that it is permitted me to form with thee the 

 happiest ties; refuse me not, nymph divine, and deign to unite thy 

 destinies with mine. Speak, and stuffs of the rarest texture will in- 

 stantly supply the place of the poor apparel which disguises thy delicate 

 and tender charms. Collars and bracelets sparkling with precious stones 

 will amorously entwine that lovely neck and those arms, which were 

 modelled by Cama himself. The richest earrings shall gracefully ac- 

 company each movement of that celestial head. Say but the word, a 

 single word, and my whole kingdom is thine. Come, timid girl, let us 



simple language by the literal term treut le cceur, is here given to Cama, the Indian 

 cupid. 



* Sacountas this word is here used for a bird in general, but it is particularly 

 applied to a species of vulture very common in India. 



