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Palanquin Bearers :

Lightly, O lightly we bear her along, She sways like a flower in the wind of our song; She skims like a bird on the foam of a stream, She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream. Gaily, O gaily we glide and we sing, We bear her along like a pearl on a string. Softly, O softly we bear her along, She hangs like a star in the dew of our song; She springs like a beam on the brow of the tide, She falls like a tear from the eyes of a bride. Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing, We bear her along like a pearl on a string. Words to Know : Sway : move from side to side Skim : glide smoothly over something Foam : mass of small bubbles, froth Gaily : merrily, happily Dew : condensed drops of water Beam : ray of light, broad smile Brow : forehead, eyebrow (here : top of water/tide)

In The Bazaars of Hyderabad : What do you sell, 0 ye merchants? Richly your wares are displayed, Turbans of crimson and silver, Tunics of purple brocade, Mirrors with panels of amber, Daggers with handles of jade. What do you weigh, 0 ye vendors? Saffron and lentil and rice. What do you grind, 0 ye maidens? Sandalwood, henna and spice. What do you call, 0 ye pedlars? Chessmen and ivory dice. What do you make, 0 ye goldsmiths? Wristlet and anklet and ring, Bells for the feet of blue pigeons, Frail as a dragon-fly's wing, Girdles of gold for the dancers, Scabbards of gold for the king. What do you cry, 0 ye fruitmen? Citron, pomegranate and plum. What do you play, 0 musicians? Cithar, sarangi and drum. What do you chant, 0 magicians? Spells for the aeons to come. What do you weave, 0 ye flower-girls?

With tassels of azure and red? Crowns for the brow of a bridegroom, Chaplets to garland his bed, Sheets of white blossoms new-gathered To perfume the sleep of the dead. By Sarojini Naidu About The Poet : Sarojini Naidu, The Nightingale of India, was a patriot and freedom fighter, but her first love was poetry. When she started writing poetry, she imitated English poets. Soon, however, she began to write about Indian themes. She played an important part in the social and cultural life of Hyderabad for many years. This poem describes the various stalls in the bazaars of Hyderabad. The poem consists of questions and answers. Words to know : Citron : a fruit like a lemon Vendor / pedlars : people who sell goods Bangle Sellers _ Sarojini Naidu

Bangle sellers are we who bear Our shining loads to the temple fair... Who will buy these delicate, bright Rainbow-tinted circles of light? Lustrous tokens of radiant lives, For happy daughters and happy wives. Some are meet for a maiden's wrist, Silver and blue as the mountain mist, Some are flushed like the buds that dream On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream, Some are aglow wth the bloom that cleaves To the limpid glory of new born leaves Some are like fields of sunlit corn, Meet for a bride on her bridal morn, Some, like the flame of her marriage fire, Or, rich with the hue of her heart's desire, Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear, Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.

Some are purple and gold flecked grey For she who has journeyed through life midway, Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest, And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast, And serves her household in fruitful pride, And worships the gods at her husband's side.

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