The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-04-07
BakaWali.
From the Times Democrat.

From the Times Democrat.
There is I'm the Hlndustani language a maj
vclous tale written by Moslem, but treating
nevertheless of the ancient gods of India, and
of the Apsnrus and of the Rapshasus 1.-THE
Rose OF Bakawai" it is called Therein also
may be found many strange histories of foun-
tains filed with magical waters changing the
sex of those who battle therein;-and histories
of flowers created by witchcraft, never fad
ing,-whoso perfumes give sight TO the blind;
and, above all, this history of love human
and superhuman, for which parallel may not
be found.
...... In days when the great Rajah Zain-
ulmuuk reigned over the eastern Kingdoms
of Hindostan, it came TO pass that Bakawali,
the Apsara, fell in love with n mortal youth
who was none other than the son of the RAJ
jah. For the lad was beautiful as a girl
beautiful even as the god Kama, and SEEM
ingly created for love. Now in that land all
living things are sensitive to loneliness, even
the plants themselves, the Asoka that
bursts into odorous blossom when touched
even by the foot of comely maiden. Yet
Bakawali fairer than any earthly creature,
being daughter of the immortals; and those
who had seen her,-beieving her born of
mortal woman, would answer when interro-
gated concerning her: "Ask not US =
rather ask thou the nightingale to sing of her
beauty.
Never had the youth Taj-ulmuluk guessed
that his beloved was not OF mortal race
having encountered her as by hazard, and
being secretly united to her after the Gand
hsrva fashion. But he knew that her eyes
were preternaturally large and dark, and the
odor of her hair like Tartary musk; and there
seemed TO transpire from her when she moved
such light and such perfume that he re-
manned bereft OF uttsrance, while watching
her, and immobile as figure painted upon a
wall. And the lamp Of love being enkindled
in the heart of Bakawali, her wisdom, like
golden moth, consumed itself in the flame
thereof-so that she forgot her people utterly,
and her Immortality, and even the courts Of
heaven wherein she was wont to dwell.
Nv
In the sacred books of the Hindus there is
much written concerning the eternal city Ar
manager, whose inhabitants are immortal.
There Indra, azure-bearded, dwels in sleep
less pleasure, surrounded by his never-slum-
berlng court of celestial bayaderes, circling
about him as the consultations of heaven
circle in their golden dance about Surya the
sun. And this was Bakawali's home, that she
had abandoned for the love of a man.
So it came to pass one night, night of
perfume and of pleasure, that Indra started up
from his couch like one suddenly remember
ing thing long forgotten, and asked of those
about him allow happens it that Bakawali,
daughter of Firoz, no more appears before
US" And one of them made answer, say
ing 30, great Indra, that pretty fiji hath
been caught in the net Of human love! Like
the nightingale, never does she cease to COM
plain because it is not possible for her to love
even more; intoxica ed is she with the perish
able youth and beauty OF her mortal lover I;
and she lives only for him and in him,-so
that even her own kindred are now forgotten
or have become to her objects OF aversion.
And it is because of him, o Lord Of Suras
and Devas, that the rosy one no longer pre-
sents herself before thy court"
Then was Indra wroth ; and he command,
that Bakawali be perforce brought before HIM,
that she might render account OF her amorouS
folly. And the Devas, awaking her, placed
her in their cloud-chariot, and brought her
into the presence of Indra, her
lips still humid with mortal kisses,
and on her throat red-blossom marks
left by human lips. And she knelt before
him, with fingers joined as in prayer; while
the Lord of the armament gazed at her in ST.
lent anger, with such frown as he was wont
to wear when riding to battle upon his ele-