20 PADUMAWATT. [37-39 37. Aojain I saw the markets of the city, all stocked Tvitli the pros- perity of tire nine treasures.' The golden markets are plastered -with saffron, where sit the great merchants of the isle of Simhala. They cast the silver and hammer out the ornaments, and carve out images in countless shapes. Gold and silver lie abundantly scattered about, and the house-doors are hung with glistening curtains. Jewels and gems,'^ rubies and pearls, set in the doors, give forth a fine sheen, and the shops are filled with camphor, scented khas grass, musk, sandal and wood of aloes. What gain would any market be to him who bought not here ? Some there are who bny, and some who sell. Some come there and make a profit, some come there and lose their capital. 38. Again the mart of beauty^ is a prosperous place, where sit the painted courtezans, — theii' lips red with the betel leaf, and their forms hidden 'neath safHower-coloured veils. From their ears hang jewel-stud- ded earrings ; with lute in hand they enti-ance the very deer. Who heareth their songs becometh enchanted, nor can he 'move his feet. Their brows are bows, their eyes are skilful archers, and, sharpening them on the whetstones of their glances, they discharge their ai-rows. On their cheeks swing pen- dent cui'ls as they smile, and men's lives take they with each side look that they throw. The twin bosoms 'neath the bodice are two dice which they cast as it were upon the game-board,* as each, in her (wanton ) nature, letteth her bosom-cloth slip aside. Many a gambler hath lost the game with them, and, wringing his'hand,^ hath gone away with broken heart. Magic use they to captivate the heart, so long as the purse-knot in the swain's waistband is not untied. When once it is untied, beggared doth he wander forth and take the road, for no more do they recognize him or allow him to resort unto them. 39. There sifc the flower-girls with flowers and their neatly arranged rows of betel unsurpassed. The perfume sellers sit with their goods, tying plenteous camphor and catechu.^ Here, are learned men reading holy booTcs, and telling the people of the path of virtue. There, are others reciting stories, and elsewhere men dance and leap. Here, buffoons bring their sights, and there, puppet-showmen make theii- dolls to dance. Here, is the sweet sound of singing, and there, actors and magicians show their . skill. Here some practise the lore of thags, and there (other villains) drug men, and drive them mad. 1 The nine mystic treasures of Kuvera, the God of wealth. They are named Padma, Mahdpadma, Qaijf^hn, Makara, Kaccha/m, Mi<l;>inda, Xanda, Nlla and Kliarba. It is not at all clear -n-hat they are. They are possibly auriferous ores. See, however, Wilson's translation of the Megha-di'da, note to v. 53-i. 2 Padiiratha, a gem, usually means, in this poem, a ruby (<-**'), but here it is evidently nsed in its general sense. 8 The Courtezans' quarter.
- Caufar or sdia is a game very like backgammon. As in that game, a man by itself
is a blot, and can be taken up by* the opponent. When two men of the same player come together on the same place, it is culled juga, i. c, the blot is covered, and the move is a decidedly winning one. The game is played with dice as in backgammon. 6 When a gambler is bankrupt, it is etiquette for him to wring his hands to show that they are empty. • Khirauri are pills of catocLu wrapped up with other spices in betel leaf for chewing
