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DURGESA NANDINI.
179

fine? head? of ? h?air? Why have you let your ringlets down to your breast? Do you show how the snake twines itself round the lotus-bud?

And who are you, my fair one, who seated beside Katlu Khan, are pouring out the 'rubied nectar' into the golden glass? Who are you at whose 'bright, consummate' charms Katlu Khan is incessantly casting eager glances? Who are you that are firing his bosom with your infallible side-looks? I know that glance,—you are Bimala. Why are you pouring out so much liquor? Go on,—go on—more—you have, su?re, got? the dagger within your dress? Of course. How can you then laugh in such a mann?er? Ah! it is no common laugh. Katlu Khan is looking at you in the in the face. What's that? Side-glance! What's that? What again? See if you have not maddened the flushed Musalman! Perhaps, it is by means of your wiles that you have at once made yourself the sole mistress of his heart. And how could it be otherwise? Such a laugh! such a carriage! sucu a sweet, playful talk! such a side-glance! Again the cup! Have a care, Katlu Khan! And what can Katlu Khan do? With what a glance Bimala is offering the glass! Ha! what's that sound? Who is singing? Does it proceed from human or from angelic lungs? Bimala is singing with the singers. What a voice! what strains! how fine the measure! Katlu Khan, what's this? Who has captivated your mind? What are you gazing at? She is smilingly casting her side-look at every cadence; she is piercing your heart with more than a dagger's sharpness. Do you see that? The glance alone is bewitching and it is accompanied by music! And do you see how her head waves gently with every glance? Do you see how her pendants are waving? Ha! pour the liquor