In Hindu Literature 235 



her locks were as dark as a swarm of black bees ; she was 

 radiant ; her lip was red like the Bandhugiva flovver ; and 

 she was lovely to behold." 



A new literature in time sprang into being, but the charm 

 of its nature pictures was still enhanced by the never-failing 

 presence of the bees. 



Kalidasa, the greatest Hindu dramatist, in the sixth cen- 

 tury, brought forth his delightful creations and sang the bee 

 into innumerable and immortal love poems. 



Kalidasa's most popular drama, " Sakuntala, or the Lost 

 Ring," would lose at least a part of its charm if deprived of 

 the music of the bees. 



At the very opening, before the play begins, as was the 

 custom, a singer delighted the audience with a song. 



" Fond maids, the chosen of their hearts to please, 

 Intwine their ears with sweet Sirisha flowers, 

 Whose fragrant lips attract the kiss of bees 



That softly murmur through the summer hours.'' 



One could almost follow the course of the story by the 

 stanzas in which bees are mentioned. 



King Dushyanta riding in the forest comes upon the 

 hermit's lovely daughter, SakoontalA, watering the flowers, 

 and driving away a bee that tries to settle upon her face. 

 Whereupon his majesty, gazing ardently upon her, thus 

 expresses his feelings : — 



" BeautiEul ! there is something charming even in her repulse. 

 Where'er the bee his eager onset plies, 

 Now here, now there, she darts her kindling eyes 

 What love hath yet to teach, fear teaches now, 

 The furtive glances and the frowning brow.'' 



In a tone of envy he continues : — 



" Ah, happy bee ! how boldly dost thou try 

 To steal the lustre from her sparkling eye ; 



