In the bazaars of ...?

Conversation moved from Cosmo Surveys to Palika Bazaar to Sarojini Naidu. Yes, Sarojini Naidu, not Sarojini Market - which is where it was originally intended to go. And we couldn't seem to remember which bazaar she'd written about. So, we Googled it, and here you go:

IN THE BAZAARS OF HYDERABAD

What do you sell O ye merchants ?

Richly your wares are displayed.

Turbans of crimson and silver,

Tunics of purple brocade,

Mirror with panels of amber,

Daggers with handle of jade.

What do you weigh, O ye vendors?

Saffron and lentil and rice.

What do you grind, O ye maidens?

Sandalwood, henna, and spice.

What do you call , O ye pedlars?

Chessman and ivory dice.

What do you make,O ye goldsmiths?

Wristlets and ankles and ring,

Bells for the feet of blue pigeons

Frail as a dragon- fly's wing,

Girdles of gold for dancers,

Scabbards of gold for the king.

What do you cry,O ye fruitmen?

Citron, pomegranate, and plum.

What do you play ,O magicians?

Spells for 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-garnered

To perfume the sleep of the dead.

--Sarojini Naidu

When in school, I've 'mugged' this poem up for the exams. But, reading it again after so long - I must admit that I quite enjoyed it!