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?