1870.] G. A. Grierson — Some Further Notes on Kalidasa. 45 



" Give me golden- coloured pan, fair one with the winsome eyes ; 

 and give me lime, O thou whose face is fair as the full fair moon, — and 

 be quick about it." 



Now it happened that the^ow-seller was no other then Devi in dis- 

 guise : and she, not understanding the tone of compliment which was fol- 

 lowed so unceremoniously by a peremptory order, took it into her head that 

 Kalidasa was mocking her, and, being a woman, took offence and ignored 

 his request. But Kalidasa, nothing daunted, went on, — 



" (and give me also) betel spice, for without it the lip of my fawn-eyed 

 love will lack its lustre ; e'en as her bosom doth when shorn of its neck- 

 lace." 



Whereupon Devi, charmed with the sweetness of his language, appear- 

 ed in proper form and gave him her blessing. 



I have already quoted one uncomplimentary expression of opinion 

 made use of by Kalidasa's wife, with regard to her husband. Another runs 

 as follows : — 



" Even a beggar, who knoweth the whole law and the prophets, is bet- 

 ter than a ruler of millions who is a fool. A fair-eyed damsel shineth 

 even in tattered weeds, — not so one who is blind, even though she is adorned 

 with gold." 



In the days of his wisdom Kalidasa often took occasion to playfully 

 chide his wife for her former unkindness ; as in the verses connected with 

 the following story. 



The husband and wife were taking a morning walk by the side of a 

 tank covered with lotuses. The sun was rising, and the bells of the lotuses 

 were in agitation, although there was no visible cause for their being so. 

 The wife accordingly asked : — 



Kalidasa replied — ■ 



