(Parvati at her lattice) <br />O Love! were you a basil-wreath to twine <br />among my tresses, <br />A jewelled clasp of shining gold to bind around my sleeve, <br />O Love! were you the keora's soul that haunts <br />my silken raiment, <br />A bright, vermilion tassel in the girdles that I weave; <br /> <br />O Love! were you the scented fan <br />that lies upon my pillow, <br />A sandal lute, or silver lamp that burns before my shrine, <br />Why should I fear the jealous dawn <br />that spreads with cruel laughter, <br />Sad veils of separation between your face and mine? <br /> <br />Haste, O wild-bee hours, to the gardens of the sun set! <br />Fly, wild-parrot day, to the orchards of the west! <br />Come, O tender night, with your sweet, <br />consoling darkness, <br />And bring me my Beloved to the shelter of my breast! <br /> <br />(Amar Singh in the saddle) <br />O Love! were you the hooded hawk upon my hand <br />that flutters, <br />Its collar-band of gleaming bells atinkle as I ride, <br />O Love! were you a turban-spray or <br />floating heron-feather, <br />The radiant, swift, unconquered sword <br />that swingeth at my side; <br /> <br />O Love! were you a shield against the <br />arrows of my foemen, <br />An amulet of jade against the perils of the way, <br />How should the drum-beats of the dawn <br />divide me from your bosom, <br />Or the union of the midnight be ended with the day? <br /> <br />Haste, O wild-deer hours, to the meadows of the sunset! <br />Fly, wild stallion day, to the pastures of the west! <br />Come, O tranquil night, with your soft, <br />consenting darkness, <br />And bear me to the fragrance of my Beloved's breast!<br /><br />Sarojini Naidu<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-rajput-love-song/
