🧚 Love Song.

Could I but win the maiden For whom my heart doth pine, I’d prize her as a jewel From depths of ocean brine.1

I’d guard her fragrant body, Like white turquoise so rare.2 My wanderings all behind me, I’d know no earthly care.3

As luscious fruit well ripened, Hangs tempting on the tree; So is thy beauty, maiden, Temptation sore to me.4

From longing for thy beauty, How can I sleep at night?5 By day I seek thee vainly, My heart is tired quite.6

NOTES7

[1] Compare, for example, “Tibetan Tales derived from Indian Sources,” translated from the Tibetan of the Kah Gyur into German by F.8 Anton von Schiefner.9 Done into English from the German by R. W. S. Ralston.10

[2] But I am preserving such of these as appear to me to possess any scientific interest.11

[3] Such a locality is described in the Tibetan language by a single word—a monosyllable.12

[4] The Kyang is the wild ass of Tibet.13

[5] This story is also told of a Sheep and a Goat, instead of a Sheep and a Lamb.14 See accompanying illustration.15

[6] Known as “La” in the Tibetan tongue.16 It is difficult to find an equivalent word in the English language, but the Princess describes its meaning.17 See also the story of “Room Bacha and Baki,” where the same superstition occurs.18

[7] This is in accordance with Tibetan custom, whereby a scarf is invariably presented upon all occasions of ceremony.19

[8] Another version of the story says cakes of dried yaks’ dung instead of sticks—see accompanying illustration.20

[9] The Monkey’s actual words, I regret to say, cannot be reported verbatim.21

[10] In Tibetan “chu-ba,” the outer garment, like a dressing-gown, worn by all Tibetans.22

[11] There is a play on the words of the Tibetan original here which explains this point, but which is incapable of adequate translation into English.23

[12] I.e., her heart.24 She compares her heart ripe with love to a ripe fruit.25

[13] Presumably she means the man’s passions.26 She compares them to the terrific demons (red is the angry colour) of Tibetan Lamaist mythology.27