12 
The Bengali Poem, Candi. 
And Phullara plies her trade, her gains are small, 
And both come home too tired to make a call. 
But I have brought a ring for you to see, 
You ’ll help me in a great perplexity. 
Deal with me, neighbour, like a generous man, 
Weigh it and please allow me all you can.”. 
The merchant takes it, and, intent on gain, 
Carefully notes the weight to its last grain. 
“ No gold or silver is this ring of thine, 
Only bell-metal polished till it shine. 
Ratis sixteen it weighs—heaven prosper us— 
With two rice grains besides as over-plus; 
Now forty cowries are each rati’s rate, 
And twenty cowries pay the extra weight. 
So that makes eight times eighty plus a score; 
Then there’s your little bill adds thirty more. 
I dare say part in money will suffice, 
I ’ll pay the rest in whole or broken rice.” 
The hunter thought, ‘ 1 A pretty dream, I wis; 
Are the seven jars at home all false as this?” 
Aloud, “ Your offer in your face I fling, 
I ’ll go and take the fellow back his ring.” 
The merchant said: “ Five cowries more I ’ll pay; 
Come let us deal, I’m honest as the day; 
I and your brother oft have dealt, ’twas he 
Who told me what a bargainer you could be.” 
“ Come, give me back my ring, and do not frown; 
I ’ll show it to some other in the town.” 
“ I ’ll add yet fifty more, upon my soul; 
All in good cash, no broken rice nor whole.” 
His hands already seemed to grasp the prize, 
But Candi laughed with Laksmi in the skies; 
And a clear voice he heard from heaven which told, 
“ Think not to cheat the hunter of his gold; 
Give him seven crores in cash, at once paid down. 
Candi has given it to him as his own; 
So shall thy wealth be largely multiplied.” 
The merchant heard the words, but none beside; 
