The legends of the Panjâb

:
:
402 LEGENDS OF THE PANJAB.
TRANSLATION.
The Song of
Nigi Bahadur.
I cannot sing of Nigi Bahadur as my throat is dry
Bring me small cardamoms in a cup of cold water.
Bahadur's house seems as distant as Dilli.*
(The longing) of my heart is as a cat's for the curds.
5 I will fill pitchers with ghi and leathern-bottles with oil.
My heart burns in my heart, there is no smoke nor flame.
There is a house at Simla, a tank at Naliya.
It penetrates unseen (for) the wound is not visible.
The roof of the palace at JAnga is of stone.
10 The wise remain in their hearts^f the fool cries aloud.
In the temple of Devi is the circlet for the ankles.
Why fill thy eyes (with tears) Quickly he will take
care of thee.
From my palace is seen Kachar before me.
Many days have been, thy face is not forgotten.
15 I can see thy house from my hut.
Meeting thee in a dream of the night my heart was torn
in pieces.
The cattle graze in the pastures, the buffaloes at Karol.
In a dream of the night I thought thy arms met (round)
my head.
Indulge not in lust, Bahadurj lust is wicked:
20 Thus is the heart injured (by it) as flesh by the knife.
The sun sits on high, Bahadur, as a high priest on his
throne.
I will give thee flowers of silver, if thou release the secret
of thy heart
A black-coated maind,X Bahadur, and green-coated
parrot.
First thou didst give me hope, Bahadur, and afterwards
didst deceive me.
* C.f. proverb DilU Mr hai, it is a far cry to Dehli.
t Keep their own counsel.
t I.e., the talking maind, which is much valued.