INTRODUCTION. 7 
The pheasant walks gracefully among the 
flowers; and the dove and the nightingale 
warble from the branches of the cypress. 
From the present time to the latest age, may 
these banks resemble 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 flowers; 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 cupid : 
God of the flowery shafts, and flowery bow, 
Delight of all above and ail 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, 

* Sir William Jones, 

