(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 Naidubr br