A kokila bird calls from a henna branch, and its song becomes an invitation: maidens should hurry at dawn to gather fresh henna leaves. The speaker urges them to set their pitchers on the water and grind the leaves in fine mortars of amber and gold. There is joyful, busy energy here, as if the whole morning is part of a wedding ritual. In the second stanza, the bird repeats its call, and the speaker explains why henna matters. Tilka red is for a bride’s brow, betel-nut red is for sweet lips, but for pale, lily-like fingers and feet, the red of the henna-tree is the one worth praising. The mood is bright, colourful, and celebratory, full of movement and anticipation.
In Praise of Henna — Summary
A kokila called from a henna-spray: LIRA! LIREE! LIRA! LIREE! Hasten, maidens, hasten away To gather the leaves of the henna-tree. Send your pitchers afloat on the tide, Gather the leaves ere the dawn be old, Grind them in mortars of amber and gold, The fresh green leaves of the henna-tree.
A kokila called from a henna-spray: LIRA! LIREE! LIRA! LIREE! Hasten maidens, hasten away To gather the leaves of the henna-tree. The tilka's red for the brow of a bride, And betel-nut's red for lips that are sweet; But, for lily-like fingers and feet, The red, the red of the henna-tree.