第1章

类别:其他 作者:Sarojini Naidu字数:19054更新时间:18/12/24 15:27:56
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?