2 
The Bengali Poem , Candi. 
My wedding gifts foretold my fate—turmeric, saffron, pan, forsooth; 
I should have taken heed betimes, nor sold to poverty my youth.” 
With gentle words he comforts her, but still she sobs the same sad tale : 
“ There’s not one grain of rice at home, and who will buy our goods when 
stale ? ” 
u Bimala’s mother was your friend; think you, will she compassion take ? 
Carry some present in your hand, a porcupine * for friendship’s sake; 
Old kindness may be not yet dead; who knows but she may hear and lend 
Some refuse rice to help our need; go try your fortune with your friend. 
Borrow besides a little salt and cook some supper for u.s both, 
I ’ll go for you to Golahat and bear your basket nothing loth. 
And by the bye, packed in my net, you ’ll find a lizard tied with care ; 
Take it and cook it with the rest; ’t will be a relish to our fare.” 
% 
She takes her humble present in her hands, 
And at her old friend’s door in doubt she stands, 
When from within she hears a cheery shout, 
“ Come in, I’m glad at last you ’ve found me out! ” 
“ A poor man’s wife no time for calls can spare, 
Hunger absorbs my every hour and care.” 
Her friend in welcome seats her by her side 
And decks her out in finery like a bride, 
Anoints her hair, and combs and binds her braid, 
And paints with red her forehead, as her maid. 
Poor Phullara, trembling, makes her errand known, 
And begs some rice—a bushel—as a loan. 
“ Oh business for to-morrow,” she replies, 
“ Comb out my hair and tell your histories.” 
Thus sat the friends, linked closely as of old, 
Each heart absorbed in all the other told. 
• ••••••• 
Meanwhile the goddess, left alone thus bound, 
Snapped with a shout the noose which tied her round ; 
She was no more a lizard pinioned there ; 
She stood a maiden now, divinely fair, 
* Cf. the lobster brought as a present by the sailors in “David Copperfield.” The 
other ed. reads some flower. 
