The Bengali Poem, Candi. 
33 
Lahana begs Durbala to finish adorning her, and thus arrayed she 
hastes to make up for her lost time; but when she comes before the 
merchant, he appals her by asking her who was the beautiful stranger 
whom she had already sent before her to give him the first welcome. 
Lahana pours out her complaints. 
“ When first you went, a long and weary age, 
Sent by the king for that unlucky cage, 
You left young Khullana in my special care, 
No thought and no expense was I to spare. 
I did my best—so much I will aver— 
But little was the help I got from her. 
She never stirred to cook the household fare, 
Nor lent a hand to help me with my hair ; 
Dress her one thought or cooking something nice, 
Or with some idle friends to play at dice. 
I used to dress her out; my gems and rings 
She wore as if they were her proper things ; 
No moment from her constant claims was free, 
Durbala had no time to wait on me; 
On every choicest dish she must be fed, 
And at unheard of hours her meals were spread. 
She never cares to pay a visit home, 
Nor lifts her hand to have her mother come; 
To spend the money is her only thought,— 
Fancy the waste and mischief she has wrought! ” 
Her outburst well her lord could understand, 
And slipped a golden bracelet in her hand. 
The merchant then arranges that Khullana is to prepare a special 
feast for himself and his friends, and, in spite of all Lahana’s machinations, 
it all turns out as he wishes. 
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