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  bySarojiniNaiduWITHANINTRODUCTIONBYARTHURSYMONS

  DEDICATEDTOEDMUNDGOSSEWHOFIRSTSHOWEDMETHEWAYTOTHE

  GOLDENTHRESHOLD

  London,1896Hyderabad,1905

  CONTENTS

  FOLKSONGS

  Palanquin—BearersWanderingSingersIndianWeaversCoromandelFishersTheSnake—CharmerCorn—GrindersVillage—SongInPraiseofHennaHarvestHymnIndianLove—SongCradle—SongSutteeSONGSFORMUSIC

  SongofaDreamHumayuntoZobeidaAutumnSongAlabasterEcstasyTomyFairyFanciesPOEMS

  OdetoH。H。theNizamofHyderabadIntheForestPastandFutureLifeThePoet’sLove—SongTotheGodofPainTheSongofPrincessZeb—un—nissaIndianDancersMyDeadDreamDamayantetoNalaintheHourofExileTheQueen’sRivalThePoettoDeathTheIndianGipsyTomyChildrenThePardahNashinToYouthNightfallintheCityofHyderabadStreetCriesToIndiaTheRoyalTombsofGolcondaToaBuddhaseatedonaLotusINTRODUCTION

  Itisatmypersuasionthatthesepoemsarenowpublished。TheearliestofthemwerereadtomeinLondonin1896,whenthewriterwasseventeen;thelateronesweresenttomefromIndiain1904,whenshewastwenty—five;andtheybelong,Ithink,almostwhollytothosetwoperiods。Astheyseemedtometohaveanindividualbeautyoftheirown,Ithoughttheyoughttobepublished。Thewriterhesitated。\"Yourlettermademeveryproudandverysad,\"shewrote。\"IsitpossiblethatIhavewrittenversesthatare’filledwithbeauty,’andisitpossiblethatyoureallythinkthemworthyofbeinggiventotheworld?

  YouknowhowhighmyidealofArtis;andtomemypoorcasuallittlepoemsseemtobelessthanbeautiful——ImeanwiththatfinalenduringbeautythatIdesire。\"And,inanotherletter,shewrites:\"Iamnotapoetreally。Ihavethevisionandthedesire,butnotthevoice。IfIcouldwritejustonepoemfullofbeautyandthespiritofgreatness,Ishouldbeexultantlysilentforever;butIsingjustasthebirdsdo,andmysongsareasephemeral。\"Itisforthisbird—likequalityofsong,itseemstome,thattheyaretobevalued。Theyhint,inasortofdelicatelyevasiveway,atararetemperament,thetemperamentofawomanoftheEast,findingexpressionthroughaWesternlanguageandunderpartlyWesterninfluences。Theydonotexpressthewholeofthattemperament;buttheyexpress,Ithink,itsessence;andthereisanEasternmagicinthem。

  SarojiniChattopadhyaywasbornatHyderabadonFebruary13,1879。Herfather,Dr。AghorenathChattopadhyay,isdescendedfromtheancientfamilyofChattorajesofBhramangram,whowerenotedthroughoutEasternBengalaspatronsofSanskritlearning,andfortheirpracticeofYoga。HetookhisdegreeofDoctorofScienceattheUniversityofEdinburghin1877,andafterwardsstudiedbrilliantlyatBonn。OnhisreturntoIndiahefoundedtheNizamCollegeatHyderabad,andhassincelabouredincessantly,andatgreatpersonalsacrifice,inthecauseofeducation。

  Sarojiniwastheeldestofalargefamily,allofwhomweretaughtEnglishatanearlyage。\"I,\"shewrites,\"wasstubbornandrefusedtospeakit。SoonedaywhenIwasnineyearsoldmyfatherpunishedme——theonlytimeIwaseverpunished——byshuttingmeinaroomaloneforawholeday。Icameoutofitafull—blownlinguist。Ihaveneverspokenanyotherlanguagetohim,ortomymother,whoalwaysspeakstomeinHindustani。I

  don’tthinkIhadanyspecialhankeringtowritepoetryasalittlechild,thoughIwasofaveryfancifulanddreamynature。

  Mytrainingundermyfather’seyewasofasternlyscientificcharacter。HewasdeterminedthatIshouldbeagreatmathematicianorascientist,butthepoeticinstinct,whichI

  inheritedfromhimandalsofrommymother(whowrotesomelovelyBengalilyricsinheryouth)provedstronger。Oneday,whenI

  waseleven,Iwassighingoverasuminalgebra:itWOULDN’Tcomeright;butinsteadawholepoemcametomesuddenly。Iwroteitdown。

  \"Fromthatdaymy’poeticcareer’began。AtthirteenIwrotealongpoemala’LadyoftheLake’——1300linesinsixdays。AtthirteenIwroteadramaof2000lines,afull—fledgedpassionatethingthatIbeganonthespurofthemomentwithoutforethought,justtospitemydoctorwhosaidIwasveryillandmustnottouchabook。Myhealthbrokedownpermanentlyaboutthistime,andmyregularstudiesbeingstoppedIreadvoraciously。I

  supposethegreaterpartofmyreadingwasdonebetweenfourteenandsixteen。Iwroteanovel,Iwrotefatvolumesofjournals;I

  tookmyselfveryseriouslyinthosedays。\"

  Beforeshewasfifteenthegreatstruggleofherlifebegan。Dr。

  GovindurajuluNaidu,nowherhusband,is,thoughofanoldandhonourablefamily,notaBrahmin。Thedifferenceofcasterousedanequalopposition,notonlyonthesideofherfamily,butofhis;andin1895shewassenttoEngland,againstherwill,withaspecialscholarshipfromtheNizam。SheremainedinEngland,withanintervaloftravelinItaly,till1898,studyingfirstatKing’sCollege,London,then,tillherhealthagainbrokedown,atGirton。ShereturnedtoHyderabadinSeptember1898,andintheDecemberofthatyear,tothescandalofallIndia,brokethroughthebondsofcaste,andmarriedDr。Naidu。\"DoyouknowIhavesomeverybeautifulpoemsfloatingintheair,\"shewrotetomein1904;\"andifthegodsarekindIshallcastmysoullikeanetandcapturethem,thisyear。Ifthegodsarekind——andgrantmealittlemeasureofhealth。ItisallIneedtomakemylifeperfect,forthevery’SpiritofDelight’thatShelleywroteofdwellsinmylittlehome;itisfullofthemusicofbirdsinthegardenandchildreninthelongarchedverandah。\"Therearesongsaboutthechildreninthisbook;theyarecalledtheLordofBattles,theSunofVictory,theLotus—born,andtheJewelofDelight。

  \"Myancestorsforthousandsofyears,\"Ifindwritteninoneofherletters,\"havebeenloversoftheforestandmountaincaves,greatdreamers,greatscholars,greatascetics。Myfatherisadreamerhimself,agreatdreamer,agreatmanwhoselifehasbeenamagnificentfailure。IsupposeinthewholeofIndiatherearefewmenwhoselearningisgreaterthanhis,andIdon’tthinktherearemanymenmorebeloved。HehasagreatwhitebeardandtheprofileofHomer,andalaughthatbringstheroofdown。Hehaswastedallhismoneyontwogreatobjects:tohelpothers,andonalchemy。Heholdshugecourtseverydayinhisgardenofallthelearnedmenofallreligions——Rajahsandbeggarsandsaintsanddownrightvillainsalldelightfullymixedup,andalltreatedasone。Andthenhisalchemy!Ohdear,nightanddaytheexperimentsaregoingon,andeverymanwhobringsanewprescriptioniswelcomeasabrother。Butthisalchemyis,youknow,onlythematerialcounterpartofapoet’scravingforBeauty,theeternalBeauty。’Themakersofgoldandthemakersofverse,’theyarethetwincreatorsthatswaytheworld’ssecretdesireformystery;andwhatinmyfatheristhegeniusofcuriosity——theveryessenceofallscientificgenius——inmeisthedesireforbeauty。DoyourememberPater’sphraseaboutLeonardodaVinci,’curiosityandthedesireofbeauty’?\"

  Itwasthedesireofbeautythatmadeherapoet;her\"nervesofdelight\"werealwaysquiveringatthecontactofbeauty。TothosewhoknewherinEngland,allthelifeofthetinyfigureseemedtoconcentrateitselfintheeyes;theyturnedtowardsbeautyasthesunflowerturnstowardsthesun,openingwiderandwideruntilonesawnothingbuttheeyes。

  ShewasdressedalwaysinclingingdressesofEasternsilk,andasshewassosmall,andherlongblackhairhungstraightdownherback,youmighthavetakenherforachild。Shespokelittle,andinalowvoice,likegentlemusic;andsheseemed,wherevershewas,tobealone。

  ThroughthatsoulIseemedtotouchandtakeholdupontheEast。

  AndfirsttherewasthewisdomoftheEast。Ihaveneverknownanyonewhoseemedtoexistonsuch\"largedraughtsofintellectualday\"asthischildofseventeen,towhomonecouldtellallone’spersonaltroublesandagitations,astoawiseoldwoman。IntheEast,maturitycomesearly;andthischildhadalreadylivedthroughallawoman’slife。Buttherewassomethingelse,somethinghardlypersonal,somethingwhichbelongedtoaconsciousnessolderthantheChristian,whichI

  realised,wonderedat,andadmired,inherpassionatetranquillityofmind,beforewhicheverythingmeanandtrivialandtemporarycaughtfireandburntawayinsmoke。Herbodywasneverwithoutsuffering,orherheartwithoutconflict;butneitherthebody’sweaknessnortheheart’sviolencecoulddisturbthatfixedcontemplation,asofBuddhaonhislotus—throne。

  Andalongwiththiswisdom,asofageoroftheageofarace,therewaswhatIcanhardlycalllessthananagonyofsensation。

  Painorpleasuretransportedher,andthewholeofpainorpleasuremightbeheldinaflower’scuportheimaginedfrownofafriend。Itwasneverfoundinthosethingswhichtoothersseemedthingsofimportance。AttheageoftwelveshepassedtheMatriculationoftheMadrasUniversity,andawoketofindherselffamousthroughoutIndia。\"Honestly,\"shesaidtome,\"Iwasnotpleased;suchthingsdidnotappealtome。\"Buthere,inaletterfromHyderabad,biddingone\"shareaMarchmorning\"withher,thereis,atthemerecontactofthesun,thisoutburst:

  \"ComeandsharemyexquisiteMarchmorningwithme:thissumptuousblazeofgoldandsapphiresky;thesescarletliliesthatadornthesunshine;thevoluptuousscentsofneemandchampakandserishathatbeatuponthelanguidairwiththeirimplacablesweetness;thethousandlittlegoldandblueandsilverbreastedbirdsburstingwiththeshrillecstasyoflifeinnestingtime。Allishotandfierceandpassionate,ardentandunashamedinitsexultingandimportunatedesireforlifeandlove。And,doyouknowthatthescarletliliesarewovenpetalbypetalfrommyheart’sblood,theselittlequiveringbirdsaremysoulmadeincarnatemusic,theseheavyperfumesaremyemotionsdissolvedintoaerialessence,thisflamingblueandgoldskyisthe’veryme,’thatpartofmethatincessantlyandin—solently,yes,andalittledeliberately,triumphsoverthatotherpart——athingofnervesandtissuesthatsuffersandcriesout,andthatmustdieto—morrowperhaps,ortwentyyearshence。\"

  Thentherewasherhumour,whichwaspartofherstrangewisdom,andwasalwaysawakeandonthewatch。Inallherletters,writteninexquisiteEnglishprose,butwithanardentimageryandavehementsincerityofemotionwhichmakethem,likethepoems,indeedalmostmoredirectly,un—English,Oriental,therewasalwaysthisintellectual,criticalsenseofhumour,whichcouldlaughatone’sownenthusiasmasfranklyasthatenthusiasmhadbeensetdown。Andpartlythehumour,likethedelicatereserveofhermanner,wasamaskorashelter。\"Ihavetaughtmyself,\"shewritestomefromIndia,\"tobecommonplaceandlikeeverybodyelsesuperficially。EveryonethinksIamsoniceandcheerful,so’brave,’allthebanalthingsthataresocomfortabletobe。Mymotherknowsmeonlyas’suchatranquilchild,butsostrong—willed。’Atranquilchild!\"Andshewritesagain,withdeepersignificance:\"Itoohavelearntthesubtlephilosophyoflivingfrommomenttomoment。Yes,itisasubtlephilosophy,thoughitappearsmerelyanepicureandoctrine:

  ’Eat,drink,andbemerry,forto—morrowwedie。’IhavegonethroughsomanyyesterdayswhenIstrovewithDeaththatIhaverealisedtoitsfullthewisdomofthatsentence;anditistomenotmerelyafigureofspeech,butaliteralfact。Anyto—morrowImightdie。ItisscarcelytwomonthssinceIcamebackfromthegrave:isitworthwhiletobeanythingbutradiantlyglad?

  OfallthingsthatlifeorperhapsmytemperamenthasgivenmeI

  prizethegiftoflaughterasbeyondprice。\"

  Herdesire,always,wastobe\"awildfreethingoftheairlikethebirds,withasonginmyheart。\"Aspiritoftoomuchfireintoofrailabody,itwasrarelythatherdesirewasfullygranted。ButinItalyshefoundwhatshecouldnotfindinEngland,andfromItalyherlettersareradiant。\"ThisItalyismadeofgold,\"shewritesfromFlorence,\"thegoldofdawnanddaylight,thegoldofthestars,and,nowdancinginweirdenchantingrhythmsthroughthismagicmonthofMay,thegoldoffirefliesintheperfumeddarkness——’aerialgold。’Ilongtocatchthesubtlemusicoftheirfairydancesandmakeapoemwitharhythmlikethequickirregularwildflashoftheirsuddenmovements。Woulditnotbewonderful?OneblacknightIstoodinagardenwithfirefliesinmyhairlikedartingrestlessstarscaughtinameshofdarkness。Itgavemeastrangesensation,asifIwerenothumanatall,butanelfinspirit。Iwonderwhytheselittlethingsmovemesodeeply?ItisbecauseIhaveamost’unbalancedintellect,’Isuppose。\"Then,lookingoutonFlorence,shecries,\"God!howbeautifulitis,andhowgladIamthatIamaliveto—day!\"Andshetellsmethatsheisdrinkinginthebeautylikewine,\"wine,goldenandscented,andshining,fitforthegods;andthegodshavedrunkit,thedeadgodsofEtruria,twothousandyearsago。DidIsaydead?No,forthegodsareimmortal,andonemightstillfindthemloiteringinsomesolitarydellonthegreyhillsidesofFiesole。HaveIseenthem?Yes,lookingwithdreamingeyes,Ihavefoundthemsittingundertheolives,intheirgrave,strong,antiquebeauty——Etruscangods!\"

  InItalyshewatchesthefacesofthemonks,andatonemomentlongstoattaintotheirpeacebyrenunciation,longsforNirvana;\"then,whenonecomesoutagainintothehotsunshinethatwarmsone’sblood,andseestheeagerhurryingfacesofmenandwomeninthestreet,dramaticfacesoverwhichthedisturbingexperiencesoflifehavepassedandlefttheirsymbols,one’sheartthrillsupintoone’sthroat。No,no,no,athousandtimesno!howcanonedeliberatelyrenouncethiscoloured,unquiet,fieryhumanlifeoftheearth?\"And,allthetime,hersubtlecriticismisalert,andthiswomanoftheEastmarvelsatthewomenoftheWest,\"thebeautifulworldlywomenoftheWest,\"

  whomsheseeswalkingintheCascine,\"takingtheairsoconsciouslyattractiveintheirbrillianttoilettes,inthebrilliantcoquetryoftheirmanner!\"Shefindsthem\"alittleincomprehensible,\"\"profoundartistsinallthesubtleintricaciesoffascination,\"andasksifthese\"incalculablefrivolitiesandvanitiesandcoquetriesandcaprices\"are,tous,anessentialpartoftheircharm?Andshewatchesthemwithamusementastheyflutterabouther,pettingherasifshewereanicechild,achildoratoy,notdreamingthatsheissayingtoherselfsorrowfully:\"HowutterlyemptytheirlivesmustbeofallspiritualbeautyIFtheyarenothingmorethantheyappeartobe。\"

  Shesatinourmidst,andjudgedus,andfewknewwhatwaspassingbehindthatface\"likeanawakeningsoul,\"touseoneofherownepithets。Hereyeswerelikedeeppools,andyouseemedtofallthroughthemintodepthsbelowdepths。

  ARTHURSYMONS。

  FOLKSONGS

  PALANQUINBEARERS

  Lightly,Olightlywebearheralong,Sheswayslikeaflowerinthewindofoursong;

  Sheskimslikeabirdonthefoamofastream,Shefloatslikealaughfromthelipsofadream。

  Gaily,Ogailyweglideandwesing,Webearheralonglikeapearlonastring。

  Softly,Osoftlywebearheralong,Shehangslikeastarinthedewofoursong;

  Shespringslikeabeamonthebrowofthetide,Shefallslikeatearfromtheeyesofabride。

  Lightly,Olightlyweglideandwesing,Webearheralonglikeapearlonastring。

  WANDERINGSINGERS

  (WrittentooneoftheirTunes)

  Wherethevoiceofthewindcallsourwanderingfeet,Throughechoingforestandechoingstreet,Withlutesinourhandsever—singingweroam,Allmenareourkindred,theworldisourhome。

  Ourlaysareofcitieswhoselustreisshed,Thelaughterandbeautyofwomenlongdead;

  Theswordofoldbattles,thecrownofoldkings,Andhappyandsimpleandsorrowfulthings。

  Whathopeshallwegather,whatdreamsshallwesow?

  Wherethewindcallsourwanderingfootstepswego。

  Nolovebidsustarry,nojoybidsuswait:

  Thevoiceofthewindisthevoiceofourfate。

  INDIANWEAVERS

  Weavers,weavingatbreakofday,Whydoyouweaveagarmentsogay?……

  Blueasthewingofahalcyonwild,Weweavetherobesofanew—bornchild。

  Weavers,weavingatfallofnight,Whydoyouweaveagarmentsobright?……

  Liketheplumesofapeacock,purpleandgreen,Weweavethemarriage—veilsofaqueen。

  Weavers,weavingsolemnandstill,Whatdoyouweaveinthemoonlightchill?……

  Whiteasafeatherandwhiteasacloud,Weweaveadeadman’sfuneralshroud。

  COROMANDELFISHERS

  Rise,brothers,rise,thewakeningskiespraytothemorninglight,Thewindliesasleepinthearmsofthedawnlikeachildthathascriedallnight。

  Come,letusgatherournetsfromtheshore,andsetourcatamaransfree,Tocapturetheleapingwealthofthetide,forwearethesonsofthesea。

  Nolongerdelay,letushastenawayinthetrackofthesea—gull’scall,Theseaisourmother,thecloudisourbrother,thewavesareourcomradesall。

  Whatthoughwetossatthefallofthesunwherethehandofthesea—goddrives?

  Hewhoholdsthestormbythehair,willhideinhisbreastourlives。

  Sweetistheshadeofthecocoanutglade,andthescentofthemangogrove,Andsweetarethesandsatthefullo’themoonwiththesoundofthevoiceswelove。

  Butsweeter,Obrothers,thekissofthesprayandthedanceofthewildfoam’sglee:

  Row,brothers,rowtotheblueoftheverge,wherethelowskymateswiththesea。

  THESNAKE—CHARMER

  Whitherdostthouhidefromthemagicofmyflute—call?

  Inwhatmoonlight—tangledmeshesofperfume,Wheretheclusteringkeovasguardthesquirrel’sslumber,Wherethedeepwoodsglimmerwiththejasmine’sbloom?

  I’llfeedthee,Obeloved,onmilkandwildredhoney,I’llbeartheeinabasketofrushes,greenandwhite,Toapalace—bowerwheregolden—vestedmaidensThreadwithmellowlaughterthepetalsofdelight。

  Whitherdostthouloiter,bywhatmurmuringhollows,Whereoleandersscattertheirambrosialfire?

  Come,thousubtlebrideofmymellifluouswooing,Come,thousilver—breastedmoonbeamofdesire!

  CORN—GRINDERS

  OLITTLEMOUSE,WHYDOSTTHOUCRY

  WHILEMERRYSTARSLAUGHINTHESKY?

  Alas!alas!mylordisdead!

  Ah,whowilleasemybitterpain?

  Hewenttoseekamillet—grainIntherichfarmer’sgranaryshed;

  Theycaughthiminabaitedsnare,Andslewmyloverunaware:

  Alas!alas!mylordisdead。

  OLITTLEDEER,WHYDOSTTHOUMOAN,HIDINTHYFOREST—BOWERALONE?

  Alas!alas!mylordisdead!

  Ah!whowillquietmylament?

  AtfallofeventidehewentTodrinkbesidetheriver—head;

  Awaitinghunterthrewhisdart,Andstruckmyloverthroughtheheart。

  Alas!alas!mylordisdead。

  OLITTLEBRIDE,WHYDOSTTHOUWEEP

  WITHALLTHEHAPPYWORLDASLEEP?

  Alas!alas!mylordisdead!

  Ah,whowillstaythesehungrytears,Orstillthewantoffamishedyears,Andcrownwithlovemymarriage—bed?

  MysoulburnswiththequenchlessfireThatlitmylover’sfuneralpyre:

  Alas!alas!mylordisdead。

  VILLAGE—SONG

  Honey,child,honey,child,whitherareyougoing?

  Wouldyoucastyourjewelsalltothebreezesblowing?

  Wouldyouleavethemotherwhoongoldengrainhasfedyou?

  Wouldyougrievetheloverwhoisridingforthtowedyou?

  Mothermine,tothewildforestIamgoing,Whereuponthechampaboughsthechampabudsareblowing;

  Tothekoil—hauntedriver—isleswherelotusliliesglisten,Thevoicesofthefairyfolkarecallingme:

  Olisten!

  Honey,child,honey,child,theworldisfullofpleasure,Ofbridal—songsandcradle—songsandsandal—

  scentedleisure。

  Yourbridalrobesareintheloom,silverandsaffronglowing,Yourbridalcakesareonthehearth:Owhitherareyougoing?

  Thebridal—songsandcradle—songshavecadencesofsorrow,Thelaughterofthesunto—day,thewindofdeathto—morrow。

  Farsweetersoundtheforest—noteswhereforest—

  streamsarefalling;

  Omothermine,Icannotstay,thefairy—folkarecalling。

  INPRAISEOFHENNA

  Akokilacalledfromahenna—spray:

  LIRA!LIREE!LIRA!LIREE!

  Hasten,maidens,hastenawayTogathertheleavesofthehenna—tree。

  Sendyourpitchersafloatonthetide,Gathertheleaveserethedawnbeold,Grindtheminmortarsofamberandgold,Thefreshgreenleavesofthehenna—tree。

  Akokilacalledfromahenna—spray:

  LIRA!LIREE!LIRA!LIREE!

  Hastenmaidens,hastenawayTogathertheleavesofthehenna—tree。

  Thetilka’sredforthebrowofabride,Andbetel—nut’sredforlipsthataresweet;

  But,forlily—likefingersandfeet,Thered,theredofthehenna—tree。

  HARVESTHYMN

  Men’sVoicesLordofthelotus,lordoftheharvest,Brightandmunificentlordofthemorn!

  Thineisthebountythatprosperedoursowing,Thineisthebountythatnurturedourcorn。

  Webringtheeoursongsandourgarlandsfortribute,Thegoldofourfieldsandthegoldofourfruit;

  Ogiverofmellowingradiance,wehailthee,Wepraisethee,OSurya,withcymbalandflute。

  Lordoftherainbow,lordoftheharvest,Greatandbeneficentlordofthemain!

  Thineisthemercythatcherishedourfurrows,Thineisthemercythatfosteredourgrain。

  Webringtheeourthanksandourgarlandsfortribute,Thewealthofourvalleys,new—garneredandripe;

  Osenderofrainandthedewfall,wehailthee,Wepraisethee,Varuna,withcymbalandpipe。

  Women’sVoicesQueenofthegourd—flower,queenoftheharvest,Sweetandomnipotentmother,OEarth!

  Thineistheplentifulbosomthatfeedsus,Thineisthewombwhereourricheshavebirth。

  Webringtheeourloveandourgarlandsfortribute,Withgiftsofthyopulentgivingwecome;

  Osourceofourmanifoldgladness,wehailthee,Wepraisethee,OPrithvi,withcymbalanddrum。

  AllVoicesLordoftheUniverse,Lordofourbeing,Fathereternal,ineffableOm!

  ThouarttheSeedandtheScytheofourharvests,ThouartourHandsandourHeartandourHome。

  Webringtheeourlivesandourlaboursfortribute,Grantusthysuccour,thycounsel,thycare。

  OLifeofalllifeandallblessing,wehailthee,Wepraisethee,OBramha,withcymbalandprayer。

  INDIANLOVE—SONG

  SheLikeaserpenttothecallingvoiceofflutes,Glidesmyheartintothyfingers,OmyLove!

  Wherethenight—wind,likealover,leansaboveHisjasmine—gardensandsirisha—bowers;

  Andonripeboughsofmany—colouredfruitsBrightparrotsclusterlikevermilionflowers。

  HeLiketheperfumeinthepetalsofarose,Hidesthyheartwithinmybosom,Omylove!

  Likeagarland,likeajewel,likeadoveThathangsitsnestintheasoka—tree。

  Liestill,Olove,untilthemorningsowsHertentsofgoldonfieldsofivory。

  CRADLE—SONG

  Fromgrovesofspice,O’erfieldsofrice,Athwartthelotus—stream,Ibringforyou,AglintwithdewAlittlelovelydream。

  Sweet,shutyoureyes,Thewildfire—fiiesDancethroughthefairyneem;

  Fromthepoppy—boleForyouIstoleAlittlelovelydream。

  Deareyes,good—night,IngoldenlightThestarsaroundyougleam;

  OnyouIpressWithsoftcaressAlittlelovelydream。

  SUTTEE

  Lampofmylife,thelipsofDeathHathblowntheeoutwiththeirsuddenbreath;

  Naughtshallrevivethyvanishedspark……

  Love,mustIdwellinthelivingdark?

  Treeofmylife,Death’scruelfootHathcrushedtheedowntothyhiddenroot;

  Noughtshallrestorethygloryfled……

  Shalltheblossomlivewhenthetreeisdead?

  Lifeofmylife,Death’sbitterswordHathsevereduslikeabrokenword,Rentusintwainwhoarebutone……

  Shallthefleshsurvivewhenthesoulisgone?

  SONGSFORMUSIC

  SONGOFADREAM

  OnceinthedreamofanightIstoodLoneinthelightofamagicalwood,Soul—deepinvisionsthatpoppy—likesprang;

  AndspiritsofTruthwerethebirdsthatsang,AndspiritsofLovewerethestarsthatglowed,AndspiritsofPeacewerethestreamsthatflowedInthatmagicalwoodinthelandofsleep。

  Loneinthelightofthatmagicalgrove,IfeltthestarsofthespiritsofLoveGatherandgleamroundmydelicateyouth,AndIheardthesongofthespiritsofTruth;

  ToquenchmylongingIbentmelowBythestreamsofthespiritsofPeacethatflowInthatmagicalwoodinthelandofsleep。

  HUMAYUNTOZOBEIDA

  (FromtheUrdu)

  Youflauntyourbeautyintherose,yourgloryinthedawn,Yoursweetnessinthenightingale,yourwhitenessintheswan。

  Youhauntmywakinglikeadream,myslumberlikeamoon,Pervademelikeamuskyscent,possessmelikeatune。

  Yet,whenIcraveofyou,mysweet,onetendermoment’sgrace,Youcry,\"ISITBEHINDTHEVEIL,ICANNOTSHOWMYFACE。\"

  Shallanyfoolishveildividemylongingfrommybliss?

  Shallanyfragilecurtainhideyourbeautyfrommykiss?

  WhatwaristhisofTHEEandME?Giveo’erthewantonstrife,Youaretheheartwithinmyheart,thelifewithinmylife。

  AUTUMNSONG

  Likeajoyontheheartofasorrow,Thesunsethangsonacloud;

  Agoldenstormofglitteringsheaves,Offairandfrailandflutteringleaves,Thewildwindblowsinacloud。

  HarktoavoicethatiscallingTomyheartinthevoiceofthewind:

  Myheartiswearyandsadandalone,Foritsdreamsliketheflutteringleaveshavegone,AndwhyshouldIstaybehind?

  ALABASTER

  LikethisalabasterboxwhoseartIsfrailasacassia—flower,ismyheart,CarvenwithdelicatedreamsandwroughtWithmanyasubtleandexquisitethought。

  ThereinItreasurethespiceandscentOfrichandpassionatememoriesblentLikeodoursofcinnamon,sandalandclove,Ofsongandsorrowandlifeandlove。

  ECSTASY

  Covermineeyes,OmyLove!

  MineeyesthatarewearyofblissAsoflightthatispoignantandstrongOsilencemylipswithakiss,Mylipsthatarewearyofsong!

  Sheltermysoul,Omylove!

  MysoulisbentlowwiththepainAndtheburdenoflove,likethegraceOfaflowerthatissmittenwithrain:

  Osheltermysoulfromthyface!

  TOMYFAIRYFANCIES

  Nay,nolongerImayholdyou,Inmyspirit’ssoftcaresses,Norlikelotus—leavesenfoldyouInthetanglesofmytresses。

  Fairyfancies,flyawayTothewhitecloud—wildernesses,Flyaway!

  Nay,nolongeryemaylingerWithyourlaughter—lightedfaces,NowIamathought—wornsingerInlife’shighandlonelyplaces。

  Fairyfancies,flyaway,Tobrightwind—inwovenspaces,Flyaway!

  POEMS

  ODETOH。H。THENIZAMOFHYDERABAD

  (PresentedattheRamzanDurbar)

  Deign,Prince,mytributetoreceive,Thislyricofferingtoyourname,WhoroundyourjewelledscepterbindTheliliesofapoet’sfame;

  BeneathwhoseswayconcordantdwellThepeopleswhomyourlawsembrace,Inbrotherhoodofdiversecreeds,Andharmonyofdiverserace:

  ThevotariesoftheProphet’sfaith,OfwhomyouarethecrownandchiefAndthey,whobearonVedicbrowsTheirmysticsymbolsofbelief;

  Andthey,whoworshippingthesun,Fledo’ertheoldIraniansea;

  Andthey,whobowtoHimwhotrodThemidnightwavesofGalilee。

  Sweet,sumptuousfablesofBaghdadThesplendoursofyourcourtrecall,ThetorchesofaThousandNightsBlazethroughasinglefestival;

  AndSaki—singersdownthestreets,Pourforus,inastreamdivine,Fromgobletsofyourlove—ghazalsTheraptureofyourSufiwine。

  Prince,whereyourradiantcitiessmile,Grimhillstheirsombrevigilskeep,YourancientforestshoardandholdThelegendsoftheircenturiedsleep;

  Yourbirdsofpeacewhite—pinionedfloatO’erruinedfortandstoriedplain,YourfaithfulstewardssleeplessguardTheharvestsofyourgoldandgrain。

  Godgiveyoujoy,GodgiveyougraceToshieldthetruthandsmitethewrong,TohonourVirtue,Valour,Worth。

  Tocherishfaithandfostersong。

  SomaythelustreofyourdaysOutshinethedeedsFirdusisung,Yournamewithinanation’sprayer,Yourmusiconanation’stongue。

  LEILI

  Theserpentsareasleepamongthepoppies,Thefireflieslightthesoundlesspanther’swayTotangledpathswhereshygazellesarestraying,Andparrot—plumesoutshinethedyingday。

  Osoft!thelotus—budsuponthestreamArestirringlikesweetmaidenswhentheydream。

  Acaste—markontheazurebrowsofHeaven,Thegoldenmoonburnssacred,solemn,brightThewindsaredancingintheforest—temple,AndswooningattheholyfeetofNight。

  Hush!inthesilencemysticvoicessingAndmakethegodstheirincense—offering。

  INTHEFOREST

  Here,Omyheart,letusburnthedeardreamsthataredead,HereinthiswoodletusfashionafuneralpyreOffallenwhitepetalsandleavesthataremellowandred,Hereletusburntheminnoon’sflamingtorchesoffire。

  Weareweary,myheart,weareweary,solongwehaveborneTheheavylovedburdenofdreamsthataredead,letusrest,Letusscattertheirashesaway,forawhileletusmourn;

  Wewillrest,Omyheart,tilltheshadowsaregrayinthewest。

  Butsoonwemustrise,Omyheart,wemustwanderagainIntothewaroftheworldandthestrifeofthethrong;

  Letusrise,Omyheart,letusgatherthedreamsthatremain,Wewillconquerthesorrowoflifewiththesorrowofsong。

  PASTANDFUTURE

  THENEWHATHCOMEANDNOWTHEOLDRETIRES:

  Andsothepastbecomesamountain—cell,Wherelone,apart,oldhermit—memoriesdwellInconsecratedcalm,forgottenyetOfthekeenheartthathastenstoforgetOldlongingsinfulfillingnewdesires。

  AndnowtheSoulstandsinavague,intenseExpectancyandanguishofsuspense,Onthedimchamber—threshold……lo!heseesLikeastrange,fatedbrideasyetunknown,Histimidfutureshrinkingtherealone,Beneathhermarriage—veilofmysteries。

  LIFE

  Children,yehavenotlived,toyouitseemsLifeisalovelystalactiteofdreams,OrcarnivalofcarelessjoysthatleapAboutyourheartslikebillowsonthedeepInflamesofamberandofamethyst。

  Children,yehavenotlived,yebutexistTillsomeresistlesshourshallriseandmoveYourheartstowakeandhungerafterlove,AndthirstwithpassionatelongingforthethingsThatburnyourbrowswithblood—redsufferings。

  Tillyehavebattledwithgreatgriefandfears,Andbornetheconflictofdream—shatteringyears,Woundedwithfiercedesireandwornwithstrife,Children,yehavenotlived:forthisislife。

  THEPOET’SLOVE—SONG

  Innoon—tidehours,OLove,secureandstrong,Ineedtheenot;maddreamsareminetobindTheworldtomydesire,andholdthewindAvoicelesscaptivetomyconqueringsong。

  Ineedtheenot,Iamcontentwiththese:

  Keepsilenceinthysoul,beyondtheseas!

  Butinthedesolatehourofmidnight,whenAnecstasyofstarrysilencesleepsOnthestillmountainsandthesoundlessdeeps,Andmysoulhungersforthyvoice,Othen,Love,likethemagicofwildmelodies,Letthysoulanswermineacrosstheseas。

  TOTHEGODOFPAIN

  Unwillingpriestessinthycruelfane,Longhastthouheldme,pitilessgodofPain,Boundtothyworshipbyreluctantvows,Mytiredbreastgirtwithsuffering,andmybrowsAnointedwithperpetualweariness。

  LonghaveIbornethyservice,throughthestressOfrigorousyears,saddaysandslumberlessnights,Performingthineinexorablerites。

  Forthydarkaltars,balmnormilknorrice,Butmineownsoulthou’stta’enforsacrifice:

  Alltherichhoneyofmyyouth’sdesire,Andallthesweetoilsfrommycrushedlifedrawn,Andallmyflower—likedreamsandgem—likefireOfhopesup—leapinglikethelightofdawn。

  Ihavenomoretogive,allthatwasmineIslaid,awrestedtribute,atthyshrine;

  Letmedepart,formywholesouliswrung,Andallmycheerlessorisonsaresung;

  Letmedepart,withfaintlimbsletmecreepTosomedimshadeandsinkmedowntosleep。

  THESONGOFPRINCESSZEB—UN—NISSA

  INPRAISEOFHEROWNBEAUTY

  (FromthePersian)

  WhenfrommycheekIliftmyveil,Therosesturnwithenvypale,Andfromtheirpiercedhearts,richwithpain,Sendforththeirfragrancelikeawail。

  OrifperchanceoneperfumedtressBeloweredtothewind’scaress,Thehoneyedhyacinthscomplain,Andlanguishinasweetdistress。

  And,whenIpause,stillgrovesamong,(Suchlovelinessismine)athrongOfnightingalesawakeandstrainTheirsoulsintoaquiveringsong。

  INDIANDANCERS

  Eyesravishedwithrapture,celestiallypanting,whatpassionatebosomsaflamingwithfireDrinkdeepofthehushofthehyacinthheavensthatglimmeraroundtheminfountainsoflight;

  Owildandentrancingthestrainofkeenmusicthatcleaveththestarslikeawailofdesire,Andbeautifuldancerswithhouri—likefacesbewitchthevoluptuouswatchesofnight。

  Thescentsofredrosesandsandalwoodflutteranddieinthemazeoftheirgem—tangledhair,Andsmilesareentwininglikemagicalser—

  pentsthepoppiesoflipsthatareopiate—

  sweet;

  Theirglitteringgarmentsofpurpleareburn—

  ingliketremulousdawnsinthequiver—

  ingair,Andexquisite,subtleandslowarethetinkleandtreadoftheirrhythmical,slumber—

  softfeet。

  Nowsilent,nowsingingandswayingandswing—

  ing,likeblossomsthatbendtothebreezesorshowers,Nowwantonlywinding,theyflash,nowtheyfalter,and,lingering,languishinradiantchoir;

  Theirjewel—girtarmsandwarm,wavering,lily—

  longfingersenchantthroughmelodioushours,Eyesravishedwithrapture,celestiallypant—

  ing,whatpassionatebosomsaflamingwithfire!

  MYDEADDREAM

  Haveyoufoundme,atlast,OmyDream?

  SevenaeonsagoYoudiedandIburiedyoudeepunderforestsofsnow。

  Whyhaveyoucomehither?WhobadeyouawakefromyoursleepAndtrackmebeyondtheceruleanfoamofthedeep?

  Wouldyoutearfrommylintelsthesesacredgreengarlandsofleaves?

  Wouldyouscarethewhite,nested,wildpigeonsofjoyfrommyeaves?

  Wouldyoutouchanddefilewithdeadfingerstherobesofmypriest?

  Wouldyouweaveyourdimmoanwiththechantingsofloveatmyfeast?

  Gobacktoyourgrave,OmyDream,underforestsofsnow,Whereaheart—rivenchildhidyouonce,sevenaeonsago。

  Whobadeyouarisefromyourdarkness?I

  bidyoudepart!

  ProfanenottheshrinesIhaveraisedinthecleftsofmyheart。

  DAMAYANTETONALAINTHEHOUROFEXILE

  (Afragment)

  ShaltthoubeconqueredofahumanfateMyliege,mylover,whoseimperialheadHathneverbentinsorrowofdefeat?

  Shaltthoubevanquished,whoseimperialfeetHaveshatteredarmiesandstampedempiresdead?

  Whoshallunkingthee,husbandofaqueen?

  Wearthouthymajestyinviolate。

  Earth’sgloriesfleeofhumaneyesunseen,Earth’skingdomsfadetoaremembereddream,Butthinehenceforthshallbeapowersupreme,Dazzlingcommandandrichdominion,ThewindsthyheraldsandthyvassalsallThesilver—beltedplanetsandthesun。

  Where’ertheradianceofthycomingfall,Shalldawnfortheehersaffronfootclothsspread,Sunsetherpurplecanopiesandred,Inserriedsplendour,andthenightunfoldHervelvetdarknesswroughtwithstarrygoldForkinglyraiment,softascygnet—down。

  MyhairshallbraidthytempleslikeacrownOfsapphires,andmykissuponthybrowsLikecithar—musiclulltheetorepose,Tillthesunyieldtheehomageofhislight。

  Oking,thykingdomwhofromtheecanwrest?

  Whatfateshalldareuncrowntheefromthisbreast,Ogod—bornlover,whommylovedothgirdAndarmourwithimpregnabledelightOfHope’striumphantkeenflame—carvensword?

  THEQUEEN’SRIVAL

  QUEENGulnaarsatonherivorybed,Aroundhercountlesstreasureswerespread;

  HerchamberwallswererichlyinlaidWithagate,porphory,onyxandjade;

  Thetissuesthatveiledherdelicatebreast,Glowedwiththehuesofalapwing’screst;

  Butstillshegazedinhermirrorandsighed\"OKing,myheartisunsatisfied。\"

  KingFerozbentfromhisebonyseat:

  \"Isthyleastdesireunfulfilled,OSweet?

  \"LetthymouthspeakandmylifebespentTocleartheskyofthydiscontent。\"

  \"Itireofmybeauty,ItireofthisEmptysplendourandshadowlessbliss;

  \"Withnonetoenvyandnonegainsay,Nosavourorsalthathmydreamorday。\"

  QueenGulnaarsighedlikeamurmuringrose:

  \"Givemearival,OKingFeroz。\"

  II

  KingFerozspoketohisChiefVizier:

  \"Lo!ereto—morrow’sdawnbehere,\"Sendforthmymessengersoverthesea,Toseeksevenbeautifulbridesforme;

  \"Radiantoffeatureandregalofmien,SevenhandmaidsmeetforthePersianQueen。\"……

  SevennewmoontidesattheVespercall,KingFerozledtoQueenGulnaar’shallAyoungqueeneyedlikethemorningstar:

  \"Ibringtheearival,OQueenGulnaar。\"

  Butstillshegazedinhermirrorandsighed:

  \"OKing,myheartisunsatisfied。\"

  Sevenqueensshoneroundherivorybed,Likesevensoftgemsonasilkenthread,Likesevenfairlampsinaroyaltower,LikesevenbrightpetalsofBeauty’sflowerQueenGulnaarsighedlikeamurmuringrose\"Whereismyrival,OKingFeroz?\"

  III

  Whenspringwindswakenedthemountainfloods,Andkindledtheflameofthetulipbuds,Whenbeesgrewloudandthedaysgrewlong,Andthepeachgrovesthrilledtotheoriole’ssong,QueenGulnaarsatonherivorybed,Deckingwithjewelsherexquisitehead;

  Andstillshegazedinhermirrorandsighed:

  \"OKing,myheartisunsatisfied。\"

  QueenGulnsar’sdaughtertwospringtimesold,Inbluerobesborderedwithtasselsofgold,Rantoherkneelikeawildwoodfay,Andpluckedfromherhandthemirroraway。

  QuicklyshesetonherownlightcurlsHermother’sfilletwithfringesofpearls;

  Quicklysheturnedwithachild’scapriceAndpressedonthemirroraswift,gladkiss。

  QueenGulnaarlaughedlikeatremulousrose:

  \"Hereismyrival,OKingFeroz。\"

  THEPOETTODEATH

  Tarryawhile,ODeath,IcannotdieWhileyetmysweetlifeburgeonswithitsspring;

  Fairismyyouth,andrichtheechoingboughsWheredhadikulassing。

  Tarryawhile,ODeath,IcannotdieWithallmyblossominghopesunharvested,Myjoysungarnered,allmysongsunsung,Andallmytearsunshed。

  Tarryawhile,tillIamsatisfiedOfloveandgrief,ofearthandalteringsky;

  Tillallmyhumanhungersarefulfilled,ODeath,Icannotdie!

  THEINDIANGIPSY

  IntatteredrobesthathoardaglitteringtraceOfbygonecolours,broideredtotheknee,Beholdher,daughterofawanderingrace,Tameless,withtheboldfalcon’sagilegrace,Andthelithetiger’ssinuousmajesty。

  Withfrugalskillhersimplewantsshetends,ShefoldshertawnyheifersandhersheepOnlonelymeadowswhenthedaylightends,ErethequicknightuponherflockdescendsLikeablackpantherfromthecavesofsleep。

  Time’sriverwindsinfoamingcenturiesItschanging,swift,irrevocablecourseTofaroffandincalculableseas;

  Sheistwin—bornwithprimalmysteries,AnddrinksoflifeatTime’sforgottensource。

  TOMYCHILDREN

  JayaSurya,aetat4

  Goldensunofvictory,bornInmylife’suncloudedmorn,Inmylambentskyoflove,MayyourgrowinggloryproveSacredtoyourconsecration,Tomyheartandtomynation。

  Sunofvictory,mayyoubeSunofsongandliberty。

  Padmaja,aetat3

  Lotus—maiden,youwhoclaimAllthesweetnessofyourname,Lakshmi,fortune’squeen,defendyou,Lotus—bornlikeyou,andsendyouBalmymoonsoflovetoblessyou,Gentlejoy—windstocaressyou。

  Lotus—maiden,mayyoubeFragrantofallecstasy。

  Ranadheera,aetat2

  Littlelordofbattle,hailInyournewly—temperedmail!

  Learntoconquer,learntofightIntheforemostflanksofright,LikeValmiki’sheroesbold,Rubiesgirtinepicgold。

  Lordofbattle,mayyoube,Lordofloveandchivalry。

  Lilamani,aetat1

  LimpidjewelofdelightSeveredfromthetendernightOfyourshelteringmother—mine,Leapandsparkle,danceandshine,BlithelyandsecurelysetInlove’smagiccoronet。

  Livingjewel,mayyoubeLaughter—boundandsorrow—free。

  THEPARDAHNASHIN

  HerlifeisarevolvingdreamOflanguidandsequesteredease;

  HergirdlesandherfilletsgleamLikechangingfiresonsunsetseas;

  Herraimentislikemorningmist,Shotopal,goldandamethyst。

  Fromthievinglightofeyesimpure,Fromcovetingsunorwind’scaress,HerdaysareguardedandsecureBehindhercarvenlattices,Likejewelsinaturbanedcrest,Likesecretsinalover’sbreast。

  ButthoughnohandunsanctioneddaresUnveilthemysteriesofhergrace,Timeliftsthecurtainunawares,AndSorrowlooksintoherface……

  Whoshallpreventthesubtleyears,Orshieldawoman’seyesfromtears?

  TOYOUTH

  OYouth,sweetcomradeYouth,wouldstthoubegone?

  Longhavewedwelttogether,thouandI;

  Togetherdrunkofmanyanaliendawn,Andpluckedthefruitofmanyanaliensky。

  Ah,ficklefriend,mustI,whoyesterdayDreamedforwardstolong,undimmedecstasy,Henceforwarddream,becausethouwiltnotstay,Backwardtotransientpleasureandtothee?

  Igivetheebackthyfalse,ephemeralvow;

  But,Obelovedcomrade,erewepart,UponmymournfuleyelidsandmybrowKissmewhoholdthineimageinmyheart。

  NIGHTFALLINTHECITYOFHYDERABAD

  Seehowthespeckledskyburnslikeapigeon’sthroat,Jewelledwithembersofopalandperidote。

  Seethewhiteriverthatflashesandscintillates,Curvedlikeatuskfromthemouthofthecity—gates。

  Hark,fromtheminaret,howthemuezzin’scallFloatslikeabattle—flagoverthecitywall。

  Fromtrellisedbalconies,languidandluminousFacesgleam,veiledinasplendourvoluminous。

  Leisurelyelephantswindthroughthewindinglanes,Swingingtheirsilverbellshungfromtheirsilverchains。

  RoundthehighCharMinarsoundsofgaycavalcadesBlendwiththemusicofcymbalsandserenades。

  OverthecitybridgeNightcomesmajestical,Bornelikeaqueentoasumptuousfestival。

  STREETCRIES

  Whendawn’sfirstcymbalsbeatuponthesky,Rousingtheworldtolabour’svariouscry,Totendtheflock,tobindthemellowinggrain,Fromardenttoiltoforgealittlegain,Andfastingmengoforthonhurryingfeet,BUYBREAD,BUYBREAD,ringsdowntheeagerstreet。

  WhentheearthfaltersandthewatersswoonWiththeimplacableradianceofnoon,Andindimshelterskoilshushtheirnotes,Andthefaint,thirstingbloodinlanguidthroatsCravesliquidsuccourfromthecruelheat,BUYFRUIT,BUYFRUIT,stealsdownthepantingstreet。

  Whentwilighttwinklingo’erthegaybazaars,Unfurlsasuddencanopyofstars,WhenlutesarestrungandfragranttorcheslitOnwhiteroof—terraceswhereloverssitDrinkingtogetheroflife’spoignantsweet,BUYFLOWERS,BUYFLOWERS,floatsdownthesingingstreet。

  TOINDIA

  Oyoungthroughallthyimmemorialyears!

  Rise,Mother,rise,regeneratefromthygloom,And,likeabridehigh—matedwiththespheres,Begetnewgloriesfromthineagelesswomb!

  ThenationsthatinfettereddarknessweepCravetheetoleadthemwheregreatmorningsbreak……

  Mother,OMother,whereforedostthousleep?

  Ariseandanswerforthychildren’ssake!

  ThyFuturecallstheewithamanifoldsoundTocrescenthonours,splendours,victoriesvast;

  Waken,OslumberingMotherandbecrowned,WhooncewertempressofthesovereignPast。

  THEROYALTOMBSOFGOLCONDA

  ImuseamongthesesilentfanesWhosespaciousdarknessguardsyourdust;

  AroundmesleepthehoaryplainsThatholdyourancientwarsintrust。

  Ipause,mydreamingspirithears,Acrossthewind’sunquiettides,Theglimmeringmusicofyourspears,Thelaughterofyourroyalbrides。

  Invain,OKings,dothtimeaspireTomakeyournamesoblivion’ssport,WhileyonderhillwearslikeatierTheruinedgrandeurofyourfort。

  Thoughcenturiesfalteranddecline,YourprovenstrongholdsshallremainEmbodiedmemoriesofyourline,Incarnatelegendsofyourreign。

  OQueens,invainoldFatedecreedYourflower—likebodiestothetomb;

  DeathisintruththevitalseedOfyourimperishablebloomEachnew—bornyearthebulbulssingTheirsongsofyourrenascentloves;

  YourbeautywakenswiththespringTokindlethesepomegranategroves。

  TOABUDDHASEATEDONALOTUS

  LordBuddha,onthyLotus—throne,Withprayingeyesandhandselate,Whatmysticrapturedostthouown,Immutableandultimate?

  Whatpeace,unravishedofourken,Annihilatefromtheworldofmen?

  ThewindofchangeforeverblowsAcrossthetumultofourway,To—morrow’sunborngriefsdeposeThesorrowsofouryesterday。

  Dreamyieldstodream,strifefollowsstrife,AndDeathunweavesthewebsofLife。

  Forusthetravailandtheheat,Thebrokensecretsofourpride,Thestrenuouslessonsofdefeat,Theflowerdeferred,thefruitdenied;

  Butnotthepeace,supremelywon,LordBuddha,ofthyLotus—throne。

  WithfutilehandsweseektogainOurinaccessibledesire,Divinersummitstoattain,Withfaiththatsinksandfeetthattire;

  ButnoughtshallconquerorcontrolTheheavenwardhungerofoursoul。

  Theend,elusiveandafar,Stillluresuswithitsbeckoningflight,AndallourmortalmomentsareAsessionoftheInfinite。

  Howshallwereachthegreat,unknownNirvanaofthyLotus—throne?

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