169.] The Nineteenth Booh of the Gestes of Prithirdj. 147 



Likening the beauty of the parrot to the bimb-in\it. 



She strove [to catch it] with eager eyes, (8) 



It resisted, fluttering and struggling ; 



Avoiding its beak, she seized it, 



Then she took it in her own hand. 



Rejoicing with joy, pleasure in her mind, 



Having taken it inside the palace 



In a beautiful cage, inlaid with jewels 



She was taking and placing it. 



10. In it she was taking and placing it ; 

 Went to play, forgetting everything, 

 Her mind slipped away from the parrot 

 Joyfully calling " Ram, Ram." 



11. The parrot seeing the beauty of the princess, 

 This form from head to foot, 



This finished work of the Maker, 

 This peerless model of a woman. 

 Poem qrfaff. 



12. Wavy tresses fair to see, 



Rivalling the dawn, with a voice like the Koil ; 

 Fragrant as the blowing lotus, 

 Swan-like her gait, slow-paced. 

 White-robed, her body shines, 

 Her nails are drops of Swati [pearls] ; 

 The bee hums round her, forgetting his nature 

 In the flavour and fragrance of the god of love. 

 The parrot looked with his eyes, and was pleased — 

 [Said] " This beauteously moulded form 

 " My Lord Prithiraj shall obtain 

 " Forestalling Hara, the joy of Uma." 

 Couplets. 



13. Approaching the parrot, the princess 

 Applied her mind to speak to it. 



It was a very accomplished Pandit-parrot 

 " Who spoke words distinctly. 



Arill metre. 



14. She asks with soft and gentle voice 



