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SETUBANDHA
107
72. The young women, who greeted their lovers even without being appeased by them, were abashed when covertly admonished by their maiden friends with severe looks. As they stood scared their beloved knew that they only pretended to be angry.14
73. It was the god of love that first dissipated the bashfulness of the damsels that had grown up with them, like a maiden friend, standing in the way of their meeting the beloved. Frenzy brought by wine held it off but slowly.
74. The young women, withdrawing the face from the hand of the maiden friend who was adorning it, and turning aside, with the ornamental dot still unfinished, hurriedly instructed the messenger girls about the mission to the beloved.
75. They spoke in one way before their maiden friends, and in another way while instructing the messenger girls, and something quite different, excitedly, at the sight of the beloved.
76. Even the uneasy gaiety of love with the newly wedded brides brought joy to their consorts while they were somehow taken into their arms, face to face, muttering to themselves, with the face drooping and turned away, while being somehow kissed.
77. The constant thrills of the young women assured their beloved that their anger was appeased, and their hearts favourably inclined15 as they sat looking straight ahead.
78. The maidens did not suck the beloved's proffered lips 16 nor did they offer their own17 nor forcibly withdraw them, Inhibited by their first union with their lovers, they somehow yielded to the joys of love.
79. 'Have patience. He will not come here even when the night is far spent.' Thus saying, the messenger girls tested the feelings of the young women whose lovers had already been brought by them, (and were in hiding).
14. They pretended anger to please their girl friends, who had advised them to practise māna, and silently reproved them for being cordial to the lovers without waiting to be appeased by them for past offences.
15. The reading ettohutta (lit. facing hitherward) is followed. 16. Lit. mouth. 17. Lit. the lower lip.
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