A Syrup of the Bees (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1914 Excerpt: ... Ill A DISJUNCTIVE CONJUNCTION I Now, in the meanwhile, it happened, that when all the other Widyadhara would-be bridegrooms had broken up and gone away in wrath, disgusted at being turned to shame by Makarandika's rejection, there was one who went away with a heart that was more than half broken, for Makarandika was dearer to him than his own soul. And he would have given the three worlds to have had the precious garland put round his own neck. And when all was over, he took himself off, and remained a long while buried in dejection on the slopes of the Snowy Mountain, pining like a chakrawdka at night-time for his mate, and striving to forget her, all in vain; for his name was Smaradasa, ' and his nature like his name. And at last, unable to endure the fiery torture of separation any longer, he said to himself: I will return, on the pretext of paying a visit to her father; and there, it may be, I shall at least get a sight of her. And who knows but that she may change her mind? for women after all are not like rocks, but skies. And at the thought, hope suddenly arose, reborn in his heart. For disconsolate lovers are like dry chips or straws, easily taking fire, and tossed here and there by the gusts of hope and desperation. So as he thought, he did. But when he arrived at Mahidhara's home, and inquired about her, he received an answer that struck him like a thunderbolt. For Mahidhara said: As for Makarandika, she has utterly disappeared, having gone somewhere or other, nobody knows where. And if, as I conjecture, she is looking for a husband among mortals, who will never even dream of any other woman than herself, she will not soon return. For it will be long before she finds him. 1 i.e., the slave of love, or recollection. And then, that unhappy Smaradasa ...