INTRODUCTION. 
7 
dove and the nightingale warble from the 
branches of the cypress. From the present 
time to the latest age, may these hanks re¬ 
semble the bowers of Paradise ! * 
In Hindostan, the god of love is known as 
Camdeo. There we may see the fair young 
child surrounded by gay laughter-loving 
nymphs. His mother never leaves him,— 
his spouse is Retty, the essence of affection, 
— and his bosom friend is Bessent, or Spring. 
The plains of Agra are his favourite resort. 
His bow is of sugar cane, twined with flow¬ 
ers ; his string is of bees; his five arrows are 
each pointed with an Indian flower. The 
Hindoo nymphs chant the following hymn to 
the Indian eupid: 
God of the flowery shafts, and flowery bow, 
Delight of all above and all below ! 
Thy loved companion, constant from his birth, 
Is ycleped Bessent, gay spring on earth, 
Weaves thy green robes and flaunting bowers, 
And from thy cloud draws balmy showers, 
He with fresh arrows fills thy quiver, 
(Sweet the gift, and sweet the giver,) 
Sir William Jones. 
