- What do you sell, O 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, O ye vendors?
- Saffron, lentil and rice.
- What do you grind, O ye maidens?
- Sandalwood, henna and spice.
- What do you call, O ye pedlars?
- Chessmen and ivory dice.
- What do you make, O 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, O fruitmen?
- Citron, pomegranate and plum.
- What do you play, O ye musicians?
- Sitar, Sarangi and drum.
- What do you chant, O magicians?
- Spells for the aeons to come.
- What do you weave, O 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.
