Gitanjali

Tagore, Rabindranath, 1861-1941

Source: BebookOriginall !canned at !acred-te"t!#co$ b
%ohn B# &are# Thi! eBook 'a! (roduced b
)hetan %ain, *i!'a! G and +nand Rao at
Bharat ,iteratureThe Gitanjali or -!ong o.ering!- b
Rabindranath Tagore /1861--19410, 1obel
(ri2e 3or literature 1914, 'ith an
introduction b 5illia$ B# 6eat!
/1867--19490, 1obel (ri2e 3or literature
1984# 9ir!t (ubli!hed in 1914#
Thi! 'ork i! in (ublic do$ain according to
the Berne con:ention !ince %anuar 1!t
1998#R+B;1<R+1+T& T+GOR=
G;T+1%+,;
Song O.ering!
+ collection o3 (ro!e tran!lation! $ade b
the author 3ro$ the original Bengali
5ith an introduction b 5# B# 6=+TS to
5;,,;+> ROT&=1ST=;1;1TRO<?)T;O1
+ 3e' da! ago ; !aid to a di!tingui!hed
Bengali doctor o3 $edicine, -; kno' no
Ger$an, et i3 a tran!lation o3 a Ger$an
(oet had $o:ed $e, ; 'ould go to the
Briti!h >u!eu$ and @nd book! in =ngli!h
that 'ould tell $e !o$ething o3 hi! li3e,
and o3 the hi!tor o3 hi! thought# But
though the!e (ro!e tran!lation! 3ro$
Rabindranath Tagore ha:e !tirred $
blood a! nothing ha! 3or ear!, ; !hall not
kno' anthing o3 hi! li3e, and o3 the
$o:e$ent! o3 thought that ha:e $ade
the$ (o!!ible, i3 !o$e ;ndian tra:eller 'ill
not tell $e#- ;t !ee$ed to hi$ natural that ;
!hould be $o:ed, 3or he !aid, -; read
Rabindranath e:er da, to read one line
o3 hi! i! to 3orget all the trouble! o3 the
'orld#- ; !aid, -+n =ngli!h$an li:ing in
,ondon in the reign o3 Richard the Secondhad he been !ho'n
tran!lation! 3ro$
Aetrarch or 3ro$ <ante, 'ould ha:e 3ound
no book! to an!'er hi! Bue!tion!, but
'ould ha:e Bue!tioned !o$e 9lorentine
banker or ,o$bard $erchant a! ; Bue!tion
ou# 9or all ; kno', !o abundant and
!i$(le i! thi! (oetr, the ne' renai!!ance
ha! been born in our countr and ; !hall
ne:er kno' o3 it e"ce(t b hear!a#- &e
an!'ered, -5e ha:e other (oet!, but none
that are hi! eBualC 'e call thi! the e(och o3
Rabindranath# 1o (oet !ee$! to $e a!
3a$ou! in =uro(e a! he i! a$ong u!# &e i!
a! great in $u!ic a! in (oetr, and hi!
!ong! are !ung 3ro$ the 'e!t o3 ;ndia into
Bur$a 'here:er Bengali i! !(oken# &e
'a! alread 3a$ou! at nineteen 'hen he
'rote hi! @r!t no:elC and (la! 'hen he
'a! but little older, are !till (laed in
)alcutta# ; !o $uch ad$ire the
co$(letene!! o3 hi! li3eC 'hen he 'a! :er
oung he 'rote $uch o3 natural object!,he 'ould !it all da in hi!
gardenC 3ro$ hi!
t'ent-@3th ear or !o to hi! thirt-@3th
(erha(!, 'hen he had a great !orro', he
'rote the $o!t beauti3ul lo:e (oetr in our
language-C and then he !aid 'ith dee(
e$otion, -'ord! can ne:er e"(re!! 'hat ;
o'ed at !e:enteen to hi! lo:e (oetr#
+3ter that hi! art gre' dee(er, it beca$e
religiou! and (hilo!o(hicalC all the
in!(iration o3 $ankind are in hi! h$n!#
&e i! the @r!t a$ong our !aint! 'ho ha! not
re3u!ed to li:e, but ha! !(oken out o3 ,i3e
it!el3, and that i! 'h 'e gi:e hi$ our
lo:e#- ; $a ha:e changed hi! 'ell-cho!en
'ord! in $ $e$or but not hi! thought#
-+ little 'hile ago he 'a! to read di:ine
!er:ice in one o3 our churche!--'e o3 the
Brah$a Sa$aj u!e our 'ord -church- in
=ngli!h--it 'a! the large!t in )alcutta and
not onl 'a! it cro'ded, but the !treet!
'ere all but i$(a!!able becau!e o3 the
(eo(le#-Other ;ndian! ca$e to !ee $e and their
re:erence 3or thi! $an !ounded !trange in
our 'orld, 'here 'e hide great and little
thing! under the !a$e :eil o3 ob:iou!
co$ed and hal3-!eriou! de(reciation#
5hen 'e 'ere $aking the cathedral! had
'e a like re:erence 3or our great $enD
-=:er $orning at three--; kno', 3or ; ha:e
!een it---one !aid to $e, -he !it! i$$o:able
in conte$(lation, and 3or t'o hour! doe!
not a'ake 3ro$ hi! re:erie u(on the nature
o3 God# &i! 3ather, the >aha Ri!hi, 'ould
!o$eti$e! !it there all through the ne"t
daC once, u(on a ri:er, he 3ell into
conte$(lation becau!e o3 the beaut o3 the
land!ca(e, and the ro'er! 'aited 3or eight
hour! be3ore the could continue their
journe#- &e then told $e o3 >r# Tagore-!
3a$il and ho' 3or generation! great $en
ha:e co$e out o3 it! cradle!# -Toda,- he
!aid, -there are Gogonendranath and+banindranath Tagore, 'ho are
arti!t!C
and <'ijendranath, Rabindranath-!
brother, 'ho i! a great (hilo!o(her# The
!Buirrel! co$e 3ro$ the bough! and cli$b
on to hi! knee! and the bird! alight u(on
hi! hand!#- ; notice in the!e $en-! thought
a !en!e o3 :i!ible beaut and $eaning a!
though the held that doctrine o3 1iet2!che
that 'e $u!t not belie:e in the $oral or
intellectual beaut 'hich doe! not !ooner
or later i$(re!! it!el3 u(on (h!ical thing!#
; !aid, -;n the =a!t ou kno' ho' to kee( a
3a$il illu!triou!# The other da the
curator o3 a $u!eu$ (ointed out to $e a
little dark-!kinned $an 'ho 'a! arranging
their )hine!e (rint! and !aid, --That i! the
hereditar connoi!!eur o3 the >ikado, he
i! the 3ourteenth o3 hi! 3a$il to hold the
(o!t#-- -&e an!'ered, -5hen Rabindranath
'a! a bo he had all round hi$ in hi! ho$e
literature and $u!ic#- ; thought o3 the
abundance, o3 the !i$(licit o3 the (oe$!,and !aid, -;n our countr i!
there $uch
(ro(agandi!t 'riting, $uch critici!$D 5e
ha:e to do !o $uch, e!(eciall in $ o'n
countr, that our $ind! graduall cea!e to
be creati:e, and et 'e cannot hel( it# ;3
our li3e 'a! not a continual 'ar3are, 'e
'ould not ha:e ta!te, 'e 'ould not kno'
'hat i! good, 'e 'ould not @nd hearer!
and reader!# 9our-@3th! o3 our energ i!
!(ent in the Buarrel 'ith bad ta!te,
'hether in our o'n $ind! or in the $ind!
o3 other!#- -; under!tand,- he re(lied, -'e
too ha:e our (ro(agandi!t 'riting# ;n the
:illage! the recite long $thological
(oe$! ada(ted 3ro$ the San!krit in the
>iddle +ge!, and the o3ten in!ert
(a!!age! telling the (eo(le that the $u!t
do their dutie!#-
; ha:e carried the $anu!cri(t o3 the!e
tran!lation! about 'ith $e 3or da!,
reading it in rail'a train!, or on the to( o3o$nibu!e! and in
re!taurant!, and ; ha:e
o3ten had to clo!e it le!t !o$e !tranger
'ould !ee ho' $uch it $o:ed $e# The!e
lric!-- 'hich are in the original, $
;ndian! tell $e, 3ull o3 !ubtlet o3 rhth$,
o3 untran!latable delicacie! o3 colour, o3
$etrical in:ention--di!(la in their thought
a 'orld ; ha:e drea$ed o3 all $ li:e long#
The 'ork o3 a !u(re$e culture, the et
a((ear a! $uch the gro'th o3 the co$$on
!oil a! the gra!! and the ru!he!# +
tradition, 'here (oetr and religion are
the !a$e thing, ha! (a!!ed through the
centurie!, gathering 3ro$ learned and
unlearned $eta(hor and e$otion, and
carried back again to the $ultitude the
thought o3 the !cholar and o3 the noble# ;3
the ci:ili2ation o3 Bengal re$ain!
unbroken, i3 that co$$on $ind 'hich--a!
one di:ine!--run! through all, i! not, a!
'ith u!, broken into a do2en $ind! that
kno' nothing o3 each other, !o$ethinge:en o3 'hat i! $o!t !ubtle in
the!e :er!e!
'ill ha:e co$e, in a 3e' generation!, to
the beggar on the road!# 5hen there 'a!
but one $ind in =ngland, )haucer 'rote
hi! ETroilu! and )re!!idaE, and thought he
had 'ritten to be read, or to be read
out--3or our ti$e 'a! co$ing on a(ace--he
'a! !ung b $in!trel! 3or a 'hile#
Rabindranath Tagore, like )haucer-!
3orerunner!, 'rite! $u!ic 3or hi! 'ord!,
and one under!tand! at e:er $o$ent that
he i! !o abundant, !o !(ontaneou!, !o
daring in hi! (a!!ion, !o 3ull o3 !ur(ri!e,
becau!e he i! doing !o$ething 'hich ha!
ne:er !ee$ed !trange, unnatural, or in
need o3 de3ence# The!e :er!e! 'ill not lie
in little 'ell-(rinted book! u(on ladie!-
table!, 'ho turn the (age! 'ith indolent
hand! that the $a !igh o:er a li3e
'ithout $eaning, 'hich i! et all the can
kno' o3 li3e, or be carried b !tudent! at
the uni:er!it to be laid a!ide 'hen the'ork o3 li3e begin!, but, a! the
generation!
(a!!, tra:eller! 'ill hu$ the$ on the
high'a and $en ro'ing u(on the ri:er!#
,o:er!, 'hile the a'ait one another, !hall
@nd, in $ur$uring the$, thi! lo:e o3 God a
$agic gul3 'herein their o'n $ore bitter
(a!!ion $a bathe and rene' it! outh# +t
e:er $o$ent the heart o3 thi! (oet Fo'!
out'ard to the!e 'ithout derogation or
conde!cen!ion, 3or it ha! kno'n that the
'ill under!tandC and it ha! @lled it!el3 'ith
the circu$!tance o3 their li:e!# The
tra:eller in the read-bro'n clothe! that he
'ear! that du!t $a not !ho' u(on hi$,
the girl !earching in her bed 3or the (etal!
3allen 3ro$ the 'reath o3 her roal lo:er,
the !er:ant or the bride a'aiting the
$a!ter-! ho$e-co$ing in the e$(t hou!e,
are i$age! o3 the heart turning to God#
9lo'er! and ri:er!, the blo'ing o3 conch
!hell!, the hea: rain o3 the ;ndian %ul, or
the $ood! o3 that heart in union or in!e(arationC and a $an !itting in a
boat
u(on a ri:er (laing lute, like one o3 tho!e
@gure! 3ull o3 $!teriou! $eaning in a
)hine!e (icture, i! God &i$!el3# + 'hole
(eo(le, a 'hole ci:ili2ation, i$$ea!urabl
!trange to u!, !ee$! to ha:e been taken u(
into thi! i$aginationC and et 'e are not
$o:ed becau!e o3 it! !trangene!!, but
becau!e 'e ha:e $et our o'n i$age, a!
though 'e had 'alked in Ro!!etti-! 'illo'
'ood, or heard, (erha(! 3or the @r!t ti$e
in literature, our :oice a! in a drea$#
Since the Renai!!ance the 'riting o3
=uro(ean !aint!--ho'e:er 3a$iliar their
$eta(hor and the general !tructure o3
their thought--ha! cea!ed to hold our
attention# 5e kno' that 'e $u!t at la!t
3or!ake the 'orld, and 'e are accu!to$ed
in $o$ent! o3 'earine!! or e"altation to
con!ider a :oluntar 3or!akingC but ho'
can 'e, 'ho ha:e read !o $uch (oetr,!een !o $an (ainting!,
li!tened to !o
$uch $u!ic, 'here the cr o3 the Fe!h and
the cr o3 the !oul !ee$! one, 3or!ake it
har!hl and rudelD 5hat ha:e 'e in
co$$on 'ith St# Bernard co:ering hi!
ee! that the $a not d'ell u(on the
beaut o3 the lake! o3 S'it2erland, or 'ith
the :iolent rhetoric o3 the Book o3
Re:elation!D 5e 'ould, i3 'e $ight, @nd,
a! in thi! book, 'ord! 3ull o3 courte!# -;
ha:e got $ lea:e# Bid $e 3are'ell, $
brother!G ; bo' to ou all and take $
de(arture# &ere ; gi:e back the ke! o3
$ door--and ; gi:e u( all clai$! to $
hou!e# ; onl a!k 3or la!t kind 'ord! 3ro$
ou# 5e 'ere neighbour! 3or long, but ;
recei:ed $ore than ; could gi:e# 1o' the
da ha! da'ned and the la$( that lit $
dark corner i! out# + !u$$on! ha! co$e
and ; a$ read 3or $ journe#- +nd it i!
our o'n $ood, 'hen it i! 3urthe!t 3ro$ -a
He$(i! or %ohn o3 the )ro!!, that crie!,-+nd becau!e ; lo:e thi! li3e, ;
kno' ; !hall
lo:e death a! 'ell#- 6et it i! not onl in our
thought! o3 the (arting that thi! book
3atho$! all# 5e had not kno'n that 'e
lo:ed God, hardl it $a be that 'e
belie:ed in &i$C et looking back'ard
u(on our li3e 'e di!co:er, in our
e"(loration o3 the (ath'a! o3 'ood!, in
our delight in the lonel (lace! o3 hill!, in
that $!teriou! clai$ that 'e ha:e $ade,
una:ailingl on the 'o$an that 'e ha:e
lo:ed, the e$otion that created thi!
in!idiou! !'eetne!!# -=ntering $ heart
unbidden e:en a! one o3 the co$$on
cro'd, unkno'n to $e, $ king, thou
did!t (re!! the !ignet o3 eternit u(on
$an a Feeting $o$ent#- Thi! i! no longer
the !anctit o3 the cell and o3 the !courgeC
being but a li3ting u(, a! it 'ere, into a
greater inten!it o3 the $ood o3 the
(ainter, (ainting the du!t and the !unlight,
and 'e go 3or a like :oice to St# 9ranci!and to 5illia$ Blake 'ho ha:e
!ee$ed !o
alien in our :iolent hi!tor#
5e 'rite long book! 'here no (age
(erha(! ha! an Bualit to $ake 'riting a
(lea!ure, being con@dent in !o$e general
de!ign, ju!t a! 'e @ght and $ake $one
and @ll our head! 'ith (olitic!--all dull
thing! in the doing--'hile >r# Tagore, like
the ;ndian ci:ili2ation it!el3, ha! been
content to di!co:er the !oul and !urrender
hi$!el3 to it! !(ontaneit# &e o3ten !ee$!
to contra!t li3e 'ith that o3 tho!e 'ho ha:e
lo:ed $ore a3ter our 3a!hion, and ha:e
$ore !ee$ing 'eight in the 'orld, and
al'a! hu$bl a! though he 'ere onl
!ure hi! 'a i! be!t 3or hi$: ->en going
ho$e glance at $e and !$ile and @ll $e
'ith !ha$e# ; !it like a beggar $aid,
dra'ing $ !kirt o:er $ 3ace, and 'hen
the a!k $e, 'hat it i! ; 'ant, ; dro( $
ee! and an!'er the$ not#- +t anotherti$e, re$e$bering ho' hi! li3e
had once a
di.erent !ha(e, he 'ill !a, ->an an hour
; ha:e !(ent in the !tri3e o3 the good and
the e:il, but no' it i! the (lea!ure o3 $
(la$ate o3 the e$(t da! to dra' $
heart on to hi$C and ; kno' not 'h thi!
!udden call to 'hat u!ele!!
incon!eBuence#- +n innocence, a
!i$(licit that one doe! not @nd el!e'here
in literature $ake! the bird! and the
lea:e! !ee$ a! near to hi$ a! the are
near to children, and the change! o3 the
!ea!on! great e:ent! a! be3ore our
thought! had ari!en bet'een the$ and u!#
+t ti$e! ; 'onder i3 he ha! it 3ro$ the
literature o3 Bengal or 3ro$ religion, and at
other ti$e!, re$e$bering the bird!
alighting on hi! brother-! hand!, ; @nd
(lea!ure in thinking it hereditar, a
$!ter that 'a! gro'ing through the
centurie! like the courte! o3 a Tri!tan or a
Aelanore# ;ndeed, 'hen he i! !(eaking o3children, !o $uch a (art o3
hi$!el3 thi!
Bualit !ee$!, one i! not certain that he i!
not al!o !(eaking o3 the !aint!, -The build
their hou!e! 'ith !and and the (la 'ith
e$(t !hell!# 5ith 'ithered lea:e! the
'ea:e their boat! and !$ilingl Foat the$
on the :a!t dee(# )hildren ha:e their (la
on the !ea!hore o3 'orld!# The kno' not
ho' to !'i$, the kno' not ho' to ca!t
net!# Aearl @!her! di:e 3or (earl!,
$erchant! !ail in their !hi(!, 'hile
children gather (ebble! and !catter the$
again# The !eek not 3or hidden trea!ure!,
the kno' not ho' to ca!t net!#-
5#B# 6=+TS ESe(te$ber 1918E
G;T+1%+,;
Thou ha!t $ade $e endle!!, !uch i! th
(lea!ure# Thi! 3rail :e!!el thou e$(tie!t
again and again, and @lle!t it e:er 'ith
3re!h li3e#
Thi! little Fute o3 a reed thou ha!t carried
o:er hill! and dale!, and ha!t breathed
through it $elodie! eternall ne'#
+t the i$$ortal touch o3 th hand! $ little
heart lo!e! it! li$it! in jo and gi:e! birth
to utterance ine.able#
Th in@nite gi3t! co$e to $e onl on the!e
:er !$all hand! o3 $ine# +ge! (a!!, and
!till thou (oure!t, and !till there i! roo$ to
@ll#
5hen thou co$$ande!t $e to !ing it
!ee$! that $ heart 'ould break 'ith
(rideC and ; look to th 3ace, and tear!co$e to $ ee!#
+ll that i! har!h and di!!onant in $ li3e
$elt! into one !'eet har$on--and $
adoration !(read! 'ing! like a glad bird
on it! Fight acro!! the !ea#
; kno' thou take!t (lea!ure in $ !inging#
; kno' that onl a! a !inger ; co$e be3ore
th (re!ence#
; touch b the edge o3 the 3ar-!(reading
'ing o3 $ !ong th 3eet 'hich ; could
ne:er a!(ire to reach#
<runk 'ith the jo o3 !inging ; 3orget
$!el3 and call thee 3riend 'ho art $
lord#
; kno' not ho' thou !inge!t, $ $a!terG ;
e:er li!ten in !ilent a$a2e$ent# The light o3 th $u!ic illu$ine! the
'orld#
The li3e breath o3 th $u!ic run! 3ro$ !k
to !k# The hol !trea$ o3 th $u!ic
break! through all !ton ob!tacle! and
ru!he! on#
> heart long! to join in th !ong, but
:ainl !truggle! 3or a :oice# ; 'ould
!(eak, but !(eech break! not into !ong,
and ; cr out baIed# +h, thou ha!t $ade
$ heart ca(ti:e in the endle!! $e!he! o3
th $u!ic, $ $a!terG
,i3e o3 $ li3e, ; !hall e:er tr to kee( $
bod (ure, kno'ing that th li:ing touch i!
u(on all $ li$b!#
; !hall e:er tr to kee( all untruth! out 3ro$
$ thought!, kno'ing that thou art that
truth 'hich ha! kindled the light o3 rea!onin $ $ind#
; !hall e:er tr to dri:e all e:il! a'a 3ro$
$ heart and kee( $ lo:e in Fo'er,
kno'ing that thou ha!t th !eat in the
in$o!t !hrine o3 $ heart#
+nd it !hall be $ endea:our to re:eal
thee in $ action!, kno'ing it i! th (o'er
gi:e! $e !trength to act#
; a!k 3or a $o$ent-! indulgence to !it b
th !ide# The 'ork! that ; ha:e in hand ;
'ill @ni!h a3ter'ard!#
+'a 3ro$ the !ight o3 th 3ace $ heart
kno'! no re!t nor re!(ite, and $ 'ork
beco$e! an endle!! toil in a !horele!! !ea
o3 toil#
Toda the !u$$er ha! co$e at $ 'indo''ith it! !igh! and $ur$ur!C
and the bee!
are (ling their $in!trel! at the court o3
the Fo'ering gro:e#
1o' it i! ti$e to !it Buite, 3ace to 3ace 'ith
thee, and to !ing dedication o3 li:e in thi!
!ilent and o:erFo'ing lei!ure#
Aluck thi! little Fo'er and take it, dela
notG ; 3ear le!t it droo( and dro( into the
du!t#
; $a not @nd a (lace in th garland, but
honour it 'ith a touch o3 (ain 3ro$ th
hand and (luck it# ; 3ear le!t the da end
be3ore ; a$ a'are, and the ti$e o3 o.ering
go b#
Though it! colour be not dee( and it! !$ell
be 3aint, u!e thi! Fo'er in th !er:ice and
(luck it 'hile there i! ti$e#> !ong ha! (ut o. her adorn$ent!# She
ha! no (ride o3 dre!! and decoration#
Orna$ent! 'ould $ar our unionC the
'ould co$e bet'een thee and $eC their
jingling 'ould dro'n th 'hi!(er!#
> (oet-! :anit die! in !ha$e be3ore th
!ight# O $a!ter (oet, ; ha:e !at do'n at
th 3eet# Onl let $e $ake $ li3e !i$(le
and !traight, like a Fute o3 reed 3or thee to
@ll 'ith $u!ic#
The child 'ho i! decked 'ith (rince-!
robe! and 'ho ha! je'elled chain! round
hi! neck lo!e! all (lea!ure in hi! (laC hi!
dre!! ha$(er! hi$ at e:er !te(#
;n 3ear that it $a be 3raed, or !tained
'ith du!t he kee(! hi$!el3 3ro$ the 'orld,and i! a3raid e:en to $o:e#
>other, it i! no gain, th bondage o3
@ner, i3 it kee( one !hut o. 3ro$ the
health3ul du!t o3 the earth, i3 it rob one o3
the right o3 entrance to the great 3air o3
co$$on hu$an li3e#
O 9ool, tr to carr th!el3 u(on th o'n
!houlder!G O beggar, to co$e beg at th
o'n doorG
,ea:e all th burden! on hi! hand! 'ho
can bear all, and ne:er look behind in
regret#
Th de!ire at once (ut! out the light 3ro$
the la$( it touche! 'ith it! breath# ;t i!
unhol--take not th gi3t! through it!
unclean hand!# +cce(t onl 'hat i!
o.ered b !acred lo:e#&ere i! th 3oot!tool and there re!t th 3eet
'here li:e the (oore!t, and lo'lie!t, and
lo!t#
5hen ; tr to bo' to thee, $ obei!ance
cannot reach do'n to the de(th 'here th
3eet re!t a$ong the (oore!t, and lo'lie!t,
and lo!t#
Aride can ne:er a((roach to 'here thou
'alke!t in the clothe! o3 the hu$ble
a$ong the (oore!t, and lo'lie!t, and lo!t#
> heart can ne:er @nd it! 'a to 'here
thou kee(e!t co$(an 'ith the
co$(anionle!! a$ong the (oore!t, the
lo'lie!t, and the lo!t#
,ea:e thi! chanting and !inging and tellingo3 bead!G 5ho$ do!t thou
'or!hi( in thi!
lonel dark corner o3 a te$(le 'ith door!
all !hutD O(en thine ee! and !ee th God
i! not be3ore theeG
&e i! there 'here the tiller i! tilling the
hard ground and 'here the (ath$aker i!
breaking !tone!# &e i! 'ith the$ in !un
and in !ho'er, and hi! gar$ent i! co:ered
'ith du!t# Aut o3 th hol $antle and e:en
like hi$ co$e do'n on the du!t !oilG
<eli:eranceD 5here i! thi! deli:erance to
be 3oundD Our $a!ter hi$!el3 ha! jo3ull
taken u(on hi$ the bond! o3 creationC he i!
bound 'ith u! all 3or e:er#
)o$e out o3 th $editation! and lea:e
a!ide th Fo'er! and incen!eG 5hat har$
i! there i3 th clothe! beco$e tattered and
!tainedD >eet hi$ and !tand b hi$ in toil
and in !'eat o3 th bro'#The ti$e that $ journe take! i! long and
the 'a o3 it long#
; ca$e out on the chariot o3 the @r!t glea$
o3 light, and (ur!ued $ :oage through
the 'ilderne!!e! o3 'orld! lea:ing $
track on $an a !tar and (lanet#
;t i! the $o!t di!tant cour!e that co$e!
neare!t to th!el3, and that training i! the
$o!t intricate 'hich lead! to the utter
!i$(licit o3 a tune#
The tra:eller ha! to knock at e:er alien
door to co$e to hi! o'n, and one ha! to
'ander through all the outer 'orld! to
reach the inner$o!t !hrine at the end#
> ee! !traed 3ar and 'ide be3ore ; !hut
the$ and !aid -&ere art thouG-The Bue!tion and the cr -Oh, 'hereD-
$elt
into tear! o3 a thou!and !trea$! and
deluge the 'orld 'ith the Food o3 the
a!!urance -; a$G-
The !ong that ; ca$e to !ing re$ain!
un!ung to thi! da#
; ha:e !(ent $ da! in !tringing and in
un!tringing $ in!tru$ent#
The ti$e ha! not co$e true, the 'ord!
ha:e not been rightl !etC onl there i! the
agon o3 'i!hing in $ heart#
The blo!!o$ ha! not o(enedC onl the
'ind i! !ighing b#
; ha:e not !een hi! 3ace, nor ha:e ; li!tened
to hi! :oiceC onl ; ha:e heard hi! gentle3oot!te(! 3ro$ the road be3ore
$ hou!e#
The li:elong da ha! (a!!ed in !(reading
hi! !eat on the FoorC but the la$( ha! not
been lit and ; cannot a!k hi$ into $
hou!e#
; li:e in the ho(e o3 $eeting 'ith hi$C but
thi! $eeting i! not et#
> de!ire! are $an and $ cr i! (iti3ul,
but e:er did!t thou !a:e $e b hard
re3u!al!C and thi! !trong $erc ha! been
'rought into $ li3e through and through#
<a b da thou art $aking $e 'orth o3
the !i$(le, great gi3t! that thou ga:e!t to
$e una!ked--thi! !k and the light, thi!
bod and the li3e and the $ind--!a:ing $e
3ro$ (eril! o3 o:er$uch de!ire#There are ti$e! 'hen ; languidl linger
and ti$e! 'hen ; a'aken and hurr in
!earch o3 $ goalC but cruell thou hide!t
th!el3 3ro$ be3ore $e#
<a b da thou art $aking $e 'orth o3
th 3ull acce(tance b re3u!ing $e e:er
and anon, !a:ing $e 3ro$ (eril! o3 'eak,
uncertain de!ire#
; a$ here to !ing thee !ong!# ;n thi! hall o3
thine ; ha:e a corner !eat#
;n th 'orld ; ha:e no 'ork to doC $
u!ele!! li3e can onl break out in tune!
'ithout a (ur(o!e#
5hen the hour !trike! 3or th !ilent
'or!hi( at the dark te$(le o3 $idnight,
co$$and $e, $ $a!ter, to !tand be3ore
thee to !ing#5hen in the $orning air the golden har( i!
tuned, honour $e, co$$anding $
(re!ence#
; ha:e had $ in:itation to thi! 'orld-!
3e!ti:al, and thu! $ li3e ha! been ble!!ed#
> ee! ha:e !een and $ ear! ha:e
heard#
;t 'a! $ (art at thi! 3ea!t to (la u(on $
in!tru$ent, and ; ha:e done all ; could#
1o', ; a!k, ha! the ti$e co$e at la!t 'hen ;
$a go in and !ee th 3ace and o.er thee
$ !ilent !alutationD
; a$ onl 'aiting 3or lo:e to gi:e $!el3 u(
at la!t into hi! hand!# That i! 'h it i! !o
late and 'h ; ha:e been guilt o3 !ucho$i!!ion!#
The co$e 'ith their la'! and their code!
to bind $e 3a!tC but ; e:ade the$ e:er, 3or ;
a$ onl 'aiting 3or lo:e to gi:e $!el3 u(
at la!t into hi! hand!#
Aeo(le bla$e $e and call $e heedle!!C ;
doubt not the are right in their bla$e#
The $arket da i! o:er and 'ork i! all
done 3or the bu!# Tho!e 'ho ca$e to call
$e in :ain ha:e gone back in anger# ; a$
onl 'aiting 3or lo:e to gi:e $!el3 u( at
la!t into hi! hand!#
)loud! hea( u(on cloud! and it darken!#
+h, lo:e, 'h do!t thou let $e 'ait out!ide
at the door all aloneD
;n the bu! $o$ent! o3 the noontide 'ork ;a$ 'ith the cro'd, but on
thi! dark lonel
da it i! onl 3or thee that ; ho(e#
;3 thou !ho'e!t $e not th 3ace, i3 thou
lea:e!t $e 'holl a!ide, ; kno' not ho' ;
a$ to (a!! the!e long, rain hour!#
; kee( ga2ing on the 3ar-a'a gloo$ o3 the
!k, and $ heart 'ander! 'ailing 'ith
the re!tle!! 'ind#
;3 thou !(eake!t not ; 'ill @ll $ heart 'ith
th !ilence and endure it# ; 'ill kee( !till
and 'ait like the night 'ith !tarr :igil and
it! head bent lo' 'ith (atience#
The $orning 'ill !urel co$e, the
darkne!! 'ill :ani!h, and th :oice (our
do'n in golden !trea$! breaking through
the !k#Then th 'ord! 'ill take 'ing in !ong!
3ro$ e:er one o3 $ bird!- ne!t!, and th
$elodie! 'ill break 3orth in Fo'er! in all
$ 3ore!t gro:e!#
On the da 'hen the lotu! bloo$ed, ala!,
$ $ind 'a! !traing, and ; kne' it not#
> ba!ket 'a! e$(t and the Fo'er
re$ained unheeded#
Onl no' and again a !adne!! 3ell u(on
$e, and ; !tarted u( 3ro$ $ drea$ and
3elt a !'eet trace o3 a !trange 3ragrance in
the !outh 'ind#
That :ague !'eetne!! $ade $ heart ache
'ith longing and it !ee$ed to $e that i!
'a! the eager breath o3 the !u$$er
!eeking 3or it! co$(letion#
; kne' not then that it 'a! !o near, that it'a! $ine, and that thi!
(er3ect !'eetne!!
had blo!!o$ed in the de(th o3 $ o'n
heart#
; $u!t launch out $ boat# The languid
hour! (a!! b on the !hore--+la! 3or $eG
The !(ring ha! done it! Fo'ering and
taken lea:e# +nd no' 'ith the burden o3
3aded 3utile Fo'er! ; 'ait and linger#
The 'a:e! ha:e beco$e cla$orou!, and
u(on the bank in the !had lane the ello'
lea:e! Futter and 3all#
5hat e$(tine!! do ou ga2e u(onG <o
ou not 3eel a thrill (a!!ing through the air
'ith the note! o3 the 3ar-a'a !ong Foating
3ro$ the other !horeD;n the dee( !hado'! o3 the rain %ul, 'ith
!ecret !te(!, thou 'alke!t, !ilent a! night,
eluding all 'atcher!#
Toda the $orning ha! clo!ed it! ee!,
heedle!! o3 the in!i!tent call! o3 the loud
ea!t 'ind, and a thick :eil ha! been dra'n
o:er the e:er-'ake3ul blue !k#
The 'oodland! ha:e hu!hed their !ong!,
and door! are all !hut at e:er hou!e#
Thou art the !olitar 'a3arer in thi!
de!erted !treet# Oh $ onl 3riend, $
be!t belo:ed, the gate! are o(en in $
hou!e--do not (a!! b like a drea$#
+rt thou abroad on thi! !tor$ night on th
journe o3 lo:e, $ 3riendD The !k
groan! like one in de!(air#
; ha:e no !lee( tonight# =:er and again ;o(en $ door and look out on
the
darkne!!, $ 3riendG
; can !ee nothing be3ore $e# ; 'onder
'here lie! th (athG
B 'hat di$ !hore o3 the ink-black ri:er,
b 'hat 3ar edge o3 the 3ro'ning 3ore!t,
through 'hat $a2 de(th o3 gloo$ art thou
threading th cour!e to co$e to $e, $
3riendD
;3 the da i! done, i3 bird! !ing no $ore, i3
the 'ind ha! Fagged tired, then dra' the
:eil o3 darkne!! thick u(on $e, e:en a!
thou ha!t 'ra(t the earth 'ith the co:erlet
o3 !lee( and tenderl clo!ed the (etal! o3
the droo(ing lotu! at du!k#
9ro$ the tra:eller, 'ho!e !ack o3
(ro:i!ion! i! e$(t be3ore the :oage i!ended, 'ho!e gar$ent i! torn
and
du!tladen, 'ho!e !trength i! e"hau!ted,
re$o:e !ha$e and (o:ert, and rene' hi!
li3e like a Fo'er under the co:er o3 th
kindl night#
;n the night o3 'earine!! let $e gi:e
$!el3 u( to !lee( 'ithout !truggle,
re!ting $ tru!t u(on thee#
,et $e not 3orce $ Fagging !(irit into a
(oor (re(aration 3or th 'or!hi(#
;t i! thou 'ho dra'e!t the :eil o3 night
u(on the tired ee! o3 the da to rene' it!
!ight in a 3re!her gladne!! o3 a'akening#
&e ca$e and !at b $ !ide but ; 'oke
not# 5hat a cur!ed !lee( it 'a!, O
$i!erable $eG&e ca$e 'hen the night 'a! !tillC he had
hi! har( in hi! hand!, and $ drea$!
beca$e re!onant 'ith it! $elodie!#
+la!, 'h are $ night! all thu! lo!tD +h,
'h do ; e:er $i!! hi! !ight 'ho!e breath
touche! $ !lee(D
,ight, oh 'here i! the lightD Hindle it 'ith
the burning @re o3 de!ireG
There i! the la$( but ne:er a Ficker o3 a
Fa$e--i! !uch th 3ate, $ heartD +h,
death 'ere better b 3ar 3or theeG
>i!er knock! at th door, and her
$e!!age i! that th lord i! 'ake3ul, and he
call! thee to the lo:e-tr!t through the
darkne!! o3 night#The !k i! o:erca!t 'ith cloud! and the
rain i! cea!ele!!# ; kno' not 'hat thi! i!
that !tir! in $e--; kno' not it! $eaning#
+ $o$ent-! Fa!h o3 lightning drag! do'n a
dee(er gloo$ on $ !ight, and $ heart
gro(e! 3or the (ath to 'here the $u!ic o3
the night call! $e#
,ight, oh 'here i! the lightG Hindle it 'ith
the burning @re o3 de!ireG ;t thunder! and
the 'ind ru!he! !crea$ing through the
:oid# The night i! black a! a black !tone#
,et not the hour! (a!! b in the dark#
Hindle the la$( o3 lo:e 'ith th li3e#
Ob!tinate are the tra$$el!, but $ heart
ache! 'hen ; tr to break the$#
9reedo$ i! all ; 'ant, but to ho(e 3or it ;
3eel a!ha$ed#; a$ certain that (ricele!! 'ealth i! in thee,
and that thou art $ be!t 3riend, but ; ha:e
not the heart to !'ee( a'a the tin!el that
@ll! $ roo$
The !hroud that co:er! $e i! a !hroud o3
du!t and deathC ; hate it, et hug it in lo:e#
> debt! are large, $ 3ailure! great, $
!ha$e !ecret and hea:C et 'hen ; co$e
to a!k 3or $ good, ; Buake in 3ear le!t $
(raer be granted#
&e 'ho$ ; enclo!e 'ith $ na$e i!
'ee(ing in thi! dungeon# ; a$ e:er bu!
building thi! 'all all aroundC and a! thi!
'all goe! u( into the !k da b da ; lo!e
!ight o3 $ true being in it! dark !hado'#
; take (ride in thi! great 'all, and ; (la!terit 'ith du!t and !and le!t a
lea!t hole
!hould be le3t in thi! na$eC and 3or all the
care ; take ; lo!e !ight o3 $ true being#
; ca$e out alone on $ 'a to $ tr!t#
But 'ho i! thi! that 3ollo'! $e in the !ilent
darkD
; $o:e a!ide to a:oid hi! (re!ence but ;
e!ca(e hi$ not#
&e $ake! the du!t ri!e 3ro$ the earth 'ith
hi! !'aggerC he add! hi! loud :oice to
e:er 'ord that ; utter#
&e i! $ o'n little !el3, $ lord, he kno'!
no !ha$eC but ; a$ a!ha$ed to co$e to th
door in hi! co$(an#
-Ari!oner, tell $e, 'ho 'a! it that boundouD-
-;t 'a! $ $a!ter,- !aid the (ri!oner# -;
thought ; could outdo e:erbod in the
'orld in 'ealth and (o'er, and ; a$a!!ed
in $ o'n trea!ure-hou!e the $one due
to $ king# 5hen !lee( o:erca$e $e ;
la u(on the bed that 'a! 3or $ lord, and
on 'aking u( ; 3ound ; 'a! a (ri!oner in
$ o'n trea!ure-hou!e#-
-Ari!oner, tell $e, 'ho 'a! it that 'rought
thi! unbreakable chainD-
-;t 'a! ;,- !aid the (ri!oner, -'ho 3orged thi!
chain :er care3ull# ; thought $
in:incible (o'er 'ould hold the 'orld
ca(ti:e lea:ing $e in a 3reedo$
undi!turbed# Thu! night and da ; 'orked
at the chain 'ith huge @re! and cruel hard
!troke!# 5hen at la!t the 'ork 'a! done
and the link! 'ere co$(lete andunbreakable, ; 3ound that it held $e in
it!
gri(#-
B all $ean! the tr to hold $e !ecure
'ho lo:e $e in thi! 'orld# But it i!
other'i!e 'ith th lo:e 'hich i! greater
than their!, and thou kee(e!t $e 3ree#
,e!t ; 3orget the$ the ne:er :enture to
lea:e $e alone# But da (a!!e! b a3ter
da and thou art not !een#
;3 ; call not thee in $ (raer!, i3 ; kee( not
thee in $ heart, th lo:e 3or $e !till 'ait!
3or $ lo:e#
5hen it 'a! da the ca$e into $ hou!e
and !aid, -5e !hall onl take the !$alle!t
roo$ here#-The !aid, -5e !hall hel( ou in the
'or!hi( o3 our God and hu$bl acce(t
onl our o'n !hare in hi! grace-C and then
the took their !eat in a corner and the !at
Buiet and $eek#
But in the darkne!! o3 night ; @nd the
break into $ !acred !hrine, !trong and
turbulent, and !natch 'ith unhol greed
the o.ering! 3ro$ God-! altar#
,et onl that little be le3t o3 $e 'hereb ;
$a na$e thee $ all#
,et onl that little be le3t o3 $ 'ill
'hereb ; $a 3eel thee on e:er !ide,
and co$e to thee in e:erthing, and o.er
to thee $ lo:e e:er $o$ent#
,et onl that little be le3t o3 $e 'hereb ;
$a ne:er hide thee#,et onl that little o3 $ 3etter! be le3t
'hereb ; a$ bound 'ith th 'ill, and th
(ur(o!e i! carried out in $ li3e--and that
i! the 3etter o3 th lo:e#
5here the $ind i! 'ithout 3ear and the
head i! held highC
5here kno'ledge i! 3reeC
5here the 'orld ha! not been broken u(
into 3rag$ent! b narro' do$e!tic 'all!C
5here 'ord! co$e out 3ro$ the de(th o3
truthC
5here tirele!! !tri:ing !tretche! it! ar$!
to'ard! (er3ectionC
5here the clear !trea$ o3 rea!on ha! notlo!t it! 'a into the drear
de!ert !and o3
dead habitC
5here the $ind i! led 3or'ard b thee into
e:er-'idening thought and action--
;nto that hea:en o3 3reedo$, $ 9ather, let
$ countr a'ake#
Thi! i! $ (raer to thee, $ lord--!trike,
!trike at the root o3 (enur in $ heart#
Gi:e $e the !trength lightl to bear $
jo! and !orro'!#
Gi:e $e the !trength to $ake $ lo:e
3ruit3ul in !er:ice#
Gi:e $e the !trength ne:er to di!o'n the
(oor or bend $ knee! be3ore in!olent
$ight#Gi:e $e the !trength to rai!e $ $ind
high abo:e dail triFe!#
+nd gi:e $e the !trength to !urrender $
!trength to th 'ill 'ith lo:e#
; thought that $ :oage had co$e to it!
end at the la!t li$it o3 $ (o'er,--that the
(ath be3ore $e 'a! clo!ed, that (ro:i!ion!
'ere e"hau!ted and the ti$e co$e to take
!helter in a !ilent ob!curit#
But ; @nd that th 'ill kno'! no end in $e#
+nd 'hen old 'ord! die out on the tongue,
ne' $elodie! break 3orth 3ro$ the heartC
and 'here the old track! are lo!t, ne'
countr i! re:ealed 'ith it! 'onder!#
That ; 'ant thee, onl thee--let $ heartre(eat 'ithout end# +ll de!ire!
that di!tract
$e, da and night, are 3al!e and e$(t to
the core#
+! the night kee(! hidden in it! gloo$ the
(etition 3or light, e:en thu! in the de(th o3
$ uncon!ciou!ne!! ring! the cr---; 'ant
thee, onl thee-#
+! the !tor$ !till !eek! it! end in (eace
'hen it !trike! again!t (eace 'ith all it!
$ight, e:en thu! $ rebellion !trike!
again!t th lo:e and !till it! cr i!---; 'ant
thee, onl thee-#
5hen the heart i! hard and (arched u(,
co$e u(on $e 'ith a !ho'er o3 $erc#
5hen grace i! lo!t 3ro$ li3e, co$e 'ith a
bur!t o3 !ong#5hen tu$ultuou! 'ork rai!e! it! din on all
!ide! !hutting $e out 3ro$ beond, co$e
to $e, $ lord o3 !ilence, 'ith th (eace
and re!t#
5hen $ beggarl heart !it! crouched,
!hut u( in a corner, break o(en the door,
$ king, and co$e 'ith the cere$on o3 a
king#
5hen de!ire blind! the $ind 'ith delu!ion
and du!t, O thou hol one, thou 'ake3ul,
co$e 'ith th light and th thunder#
The rain ha! held back 3or da! and da!,
$ God, in $ arid heart# The hori2on i!
@ercel naked--not the thinne!t co:er o3 a
!o3t cloud, not the :ague!t hint o3 a di!tant
cool !ho'er#
Send th angr !tor$, dark 'ith death, i3 iti! th 'i!h, and 'ith la!he!
o3 lightning
!tartle the !k 3ro$ end to end#
But call back, $ lord, call back thi!
(er:ading !ilent heat, !till and keen and
cruel, burning the heart 'ith dire de!(air#
,et the cloud o3 grace bend lo' 3ro$
abo:e like the tear3ul look o3 the $other on
the da o3 the 3ather-! 'rath#
5here do!t thou !tand behind the$ all, $
lo:er, hiding th!el3 in the !hado'!D The
(u!h thee and (a!! thee b on the du!t
road, taking thee 3or naught# ; 'ait here
'ear hour! !(reading $ o.ering! 3or
thee, 'hile (a!!er!-b co$e and take $
Fo'er!, one b one, and $ ba!ket i!
nearl e$(t#
The $orning ti$e i! (a!t, and the noon# ;nthe !hade o3 e:ening $
ee! are dro'!
'ith !lee(# >en going ho$e glance at $e
and !$ile and @ll $e 'ith !ha$e# ; !it like
a beggar $aid, dra'ing $ !kirt o:er $
3ace, and 'hen the a!k $e, 'hat it i! ;
'ant, ; dro( $ ee! and an!'er the$ not#
Oh, ho', indeed, could ; tell the$ that 3or
thee ; 'ait, and that thou ha!t (ro$i!ed to
co$e# &o' could ; utter 3or !ha$e that ;
kee( 3or $ do'r thi! (o:ert# +h, ; hug
thi! (ride in the !ecret o3 $ heart#
; !it on the gra!! and ga2e u(on the !k
and drea$ o3 the !udden !(lendour o3 th
co$ing--all the light! abla2e, golden
(ennon! Fing o:er th car, and the at
the road!ide !tanding aga(e, 'hen the
!ee thee co$e do'n 3ro$ th !eat to rai!e
$e 3ro$ the du!t, and !et at th !ide thi!
ragged beggar girl a-tre$ble 'ith !ha$e
and (ride, like a cree(er in a !u$$erbree2e#
But ti$e glide! on and !till no !ound o3 the
'heel! o3 th chariot# >an a (roce!!ion
(a!!e! b 'ith noi!e and !hout! and
gla$our o3 glor# ;! it onl thou 'ho
'ould!t !tand in the !hado' !ilent and
behind the$ allD +nd onl ; 'ho 'ould
'ait and 'ee( and 'ear out $ heart in
:ain longingD
=arl in the da it 'a! 'hi!(ered that 'e
!hould !ail in a boat, onl thou and ;, and
ne:er a !oul in the 'orld 'ould kno' o3
thi! our (ilgri$age to no countr and to no
end#
;n that !horele!! ocean, at th !ilentl
li!tening !$ile $ !ong! 'ould !'ell in
$elodie!, 3ree a! 'a:e!, 3ree 3ro$ all
bondage o3 'ord!#;! the ti$e not co$e etD +re there 'ork!
!till to doD ,o, the e:ening ha! co$e do'n
u(on the !hore and in the 3ading light the
!eabird! co$e Fing to their ne!t!#
5ho kno'! 'hen the chain! 'ill be o.,
and the boat, like the la!t gli$$er o3
!un!et, :ani!h into the nightD
The da 'a! 'hen ; did not kee( $!el3 in
readine!! 3or theeC and entering $ heart
unbidden e:en a! one o3 the co$$on
cro'd, unkno'n to $e, $ king, thou
did!t (re!! the !ignet o3 eternit u(on
$an a Feeting $o$ent o3 $ li3e#
+nd toda 'hen b chance ; light u(on
the$ and !ee th !ignature, ; @nd the
ha:e lain !cattered in the du!t $i"ed 'ith
the $e$or o3 jo! and !orro'! o3 $tri:ial da! 3orgotten#
Thou did!t not turn in conte$(t 3ro$ $
childi!h (la a$ong du!t, and the !te(!
that ; heard in $ (laroo$ are the !a$e
that are echoing 3ro$ !tar to !tar#
Thi! i! $ delight, thu! to 'ait and 'atch
at the 'a!ide 'here !hado' cha!e! light
and the rain co$e! in the 'ake o3 the
!u$$er#
>e!!enger!, 'ith tiding! 3ro$ unkno'n
!kie!, greet $e and !(eed along the road#
> heart i! glad 'ithin, and the breath o3
the (a!!ing bree2e i! !'eet#
9ro$ da'n till du!k ; !it here be3ore $
door, and ; kno' that o3 a !udden the
ha(( $o$ent 'ill arri:e 'hen ; !hall !ee#;n the $ean'hile ; !$ile and
; !ing all
alone# ;n the $ean'hile the air i! @lling
'ith the (er3u$e o3 (ro$i!e#
&a:e ou not heard hi! !ilent !te(!D &e
co$e!, co$e!, e:er co$e!#
=:er $o$ent and e:er age, e:er da
and e:er night he co$e!, co$e!, e:er
co$e!#
>an a !ong ha:e ; !ung in $an a $ood
o3 $ind, but all their note! ha:e al'a!
(roclai$ed, -&e co$e!, co$e!, e:er
co$e!#-
;n the 3ragrant da! o3 !unn +(ril through
the 3ore!t (ath he co$e!, co$e!, e:er
co$e!#
;n the rain gloo$ o3 %ul night! on thethundering chariot o3 cloud! he
co$e!,
co$e!, e:er co$e!#
;n !orro' a3ter !orro' it i! hi! !te(! that
(re!! u(on $ heart, and it i! the golden
touch o3 hi! 3eet that $ake! $ jo to
!hine#
; kno' not 3ro$ 'hat di!tant ti$e thou art
e:er co$ing nearer to $eet $e# Th !un
and !tar! can ne:er kee( thee hidden 3ro$
$e 3or ae#
;n $an a $orning and e:e th 3oot!te(!
ha:e been heard and th $e!!enger ha!
co$e 'ithin $ heart and called $e in
!ecret#
; kno' not onl 'h toda $ li3e i! all
a!tir, and a 3eeling o3 tre$ulou! jo i!
(a!!ing through $ heart#;t i! a! i3 the ti$e 'ere co$e to 'ind u( $
'ork, and ; 3eel in the air a 3aint !$ell o3
th !'eet (re!ence#
The night i! nearl !(ent 'aiting 3or hi$ in
:ain# ; 3ear le!t in the $orning he
!uddenl co$e to $ door 'hen ; ha:e
3allen a!lee( 'earied out# Oh 3riend!,
lea:e the 'a o(en to hi$-- 3orbid hi$ not#
;3 the !ound! o3 hi! !te(! doe! not 'ake
$e, do not tr to rou!e $e, ; (ra# ; 'i!h
not to be called 3ro$ $ !lee( b the
cla$orou! choir o3 bird!, b the riot o3
'ind at the 3e!ti:al o3 $orning light# ,et
$e !lee( undi!turbed e:en i3 $ lord
co$e! o3 a !udden to $ door#
+h, $ !lee(, (reciou! !lee(, 'hich onl
'ait! 3or hi! touch to :ani!h# +h, $clo!ed ee! that 'ould o(en their
lid! onl
to the light o3 hi! !$ile 'hen he !tand!
be3ore $e like a drea$ e$erging 3ro$
darkne!! o3 !lee(#
,et hi$ a((ear be3ore $ !ight a! the @r!t
o3 all light! and all 3or$!# The @r!t thrill o3
jo to $ a'akened !oul let it co$e 3ro$
hi! glance# +nd let $ return to $!el3 be
i$$ediate return to hi$#
The $orning !ea o3 !ilence broke into
ri((le! o3 bird !ong!C and the Fo'er! 'ere
all $err b the road!ideC and the 'ealth
o3 gold 'a! !cattered through the ri3t o3 the
cloud! 'hile 'e bu!il 'ent on our 'a
and (aid no heed#
5e !ang no glad !ong! nor (laedC 'e
'ent not to the :illage 3or barterC 'e !(oke
not a 'ord nor !$iledC 'e lingered not onthe 'a# 5e Buickened our
(ace $ore
and $ore a! the ti$e !(ed b#
The !un ro!e to the $id !k and do:e!
cooed in the !hade# 5ithered lea:e!
danced and 'hirled in the hot air o3 noon#
The !he(herd bo dro'!ed and drea$ed
in the !hado' o3 the banan tree, and ; laid
$!el3 do'n b the 'ater and !tretched
$ tired li$b! on the gra!!#
> co$(anion! laughed at $e in !cornC
the held their head! high and hurried onC
the ne:er looked back nor re!tedC the
:ani!hed in the di!tant blue ha2e# The
cro!!ed $an $eado'! and hill!, and
(a!!ed through !trange, 3ar-a'a
countrie!# +ll honour to ou, heroic ho!t o3
the inter$inable (athG >ocker and
re(roach (ricked $e to ri!e, but 3ound no
re!(on!e in $e# ; ga:e $!el3 u( 3or lo!t
in the de(th o3 a glad hu$iliation--in the!hado' o3 a di$ delight#
The re(o!e o3 the !un-e$broidered green
gloo$ !lo'l !(read o:er $ heart# ;
3orgot 3or 'hat ; had tra:elled, and ;
!urrendered $ $ind 'ithout !truggle to
the $a2e o3 !hado'! and !ong!#
+t la!t, 'hen ; 'oke 3ro$ $ !lu$ber and
o(ened $ ee!, ; !a' thee !tanding b
$e, Fooding $ !lee( 'ith th !$ile# &o'
; had 3eared that the (ath 'a! long and
'eari!o$e, and the !truggle to reach thee
'a! hardG
6ou ca$e do'n 3ro$ our throne and
!tood at $ cottage door#
; 'a! !inging all alone in a corner, and the
$elod caught our ear# 6ou ca$e do'n
and !tood at $ cottage door#>a!ter! are $an in our hall, and !ong!
are !ung there at all hour!# But the !i$(le
carol o3 thi! no:ice !truck at our lo:e#
One (lainti:e little !train $ingled 'ith the
great $u!ic o3 the 'orld, and 'ith a Fo'er
3or a (ri2e ou ca$e do'n and !to((ed at
$ cottage door#
; had gone a-begging 3ro$ door to door in
the :illage (ath, 'hen th golden chariot
a((eared in the di!tance like a gorgeou!
drea$ and ; 'ondered 'ho 'a! thi! Hing
o3 all king!G
> ho(e! ro!e high and $ethought $
e:il da! 'ere at an end, and ; !tood
'aiting 3or al$! to be gi:en una!ked and
3or 'ealth !cattered on all !ide! in the
du!t#The chariot !to((ed 'here ; !tood# Th
glance 3ell on $e and thou ca$e!t do'n
'ith a !$ile# ; 3elt that the luck o3 $ li3e
had co$e at la!t# Then o3 a !udden thou
did!t hold out th right hand and !a -5hat
ha!t thou to gi:e to $eD-
+h, 'hat a kingl je!t 'a! it to o(en th
(al$ to a beggar to begG ; 'a! con3u!ed
and !tood undecided, and then 3ro$ $
'allet ; !lo'l took out the lea!t little grain
o3 corn and ga:e it to thee#
But ho' great $ !ur(ri!e 'hen at the
da-! end ; e$(tied $ bag on the Foor to
@nd a lea!t little gra$ o3 gold a$ong the
(oor hea(# ; bitterl 'e(t and 'i!hed that
; had had the heart to gi:e thee $ all#
The night darkened# Our da-! 'ork! had
been done# 5e thought that the la!t gue!thad arri:ed 3or the night and
the door! in
the :illage 'ere all !hut# Onl !o$e !aid
the king 'a! to co$e# 5e laughed and
!aid -1o, it cannot beG-
;t !ee$ed there 'ere knock! at the door
and 'e !aid it 'a! nothing but the 'ind#
5e (ut out the la$(! and la do'n to
!lee(# Onl !o$e !aid, -;t i! the
$e!!engerG- 5e laughed and !aid -1o, it
$u!t be the 'indG-
There ca$e a !ound in the dead o3 the
night# 5e !lee(il thought it 'a! the
di!tant thunder# The earth !hook, the 'all!
rocked, and it troubled u! in our !lee(#
Onl !o$e !aid it 'a! the !ound o3 'heel!#
5e !aid in a dro'! $ur$ur, -1o, it $u!t
be the ru$bling o3 cloud!G-
The night 'a! !till dark 'hen the dru$
!ounded# The :oice ca$e -5ake u(Gdela notG- 5e (re!!ed our hand!
on our
heart! and !huddered 'ith 3ear# So$e
!aid, -,o, there i! the king-! FagG- 5e !tood
u( on our 3eet and cried -There i! no ti$e
3or delaG-
The king ha! co$e--but 'here are light!,
'here are 'reath!D 5here i! the throne to
!eat hi$D Oh, !ha$eG Oh utter !ha$eG
5here i! the hall, the decoration!D
So$eone ha! !aid, -*ain i! thi! crG Greet
hi$ 'ith e$(t hand!, lead hi$ into th
roo$! all bareG-
O(en the door!, let the conch-!hell! be
!oundedG in the de(th o3 the night ha!
co$e the king o3 our dark, drear hou!e#
The thunder roar! in the !k# The
darkne!! !hudder! 'ith lightning# Bring
out th tattered (iece o3 $at and !(read it
in the courtard# 5ith the !tor$ ha! co$e
o3 a !udden our king o3 the 3ear3ul night#; thought ; !hould a!k o3 thee--
but ; dared
not--the ro!e 'reath thou had!t on th
neck# Thu! ; 'aited 3or the $orning, 'hen
thou did!t de(art, to @nd a 3e' 3rag$ent!
on the bed# +nd like a beggar ; !earched
in the da'n onl 3or a !tra (etal or t'o#
+h $e, 'hat i! it ; @ndD 5hat token le3t o3
th lo:eD ;t i! no Fo'er, no !(ice!, no :a!e
o3 (er3u$ed 'ater# ;t i! th $ight !'ord,
Fa!hing a! a Fa$e, hea: a! a bolt o3
thunder# The oung light o3 $orning
co$e! through the 'indo' and !(read!
it!el3 u(on th bed# The $orning bird
t'itter! and a!k!, -5o$an, 'hat ha!t thou
gotD- 1o, it i! no Fo'er, nor !(ice!, nor
:a!e o3 (er3u$ed 'ater--it i! th dread3ul
!'ord#
; !it and $u!e in 'onder, 'hat gi3t i! thi! o3thine# ; can @nd no (lace to
hide it# ; a$
a!ha$ed to 'ear it, 3rail a! ; a$, and it
hurt! $e 'hen ; (re!! it to $ bo!o$# 6et
!hall ; bear in $ heart thi! honour o3 the
burden o3 (ain, thi! gi3t o3 thine#
9ro$ no' there !hall be no 3ear le3t 3or $e
in thi! 'orld, and thou !halt be :ictoriou!
in all $ !tri3e# Thou ha!t le3t death 3or $
co$(anion and ; !hall cro'n hi$ 'ith $
li3e# Th !'ord i! 'ith $e to cut a!under
$ bond!, and there !hall be no 3ear le3t
3or $e in the 'orld#
9ro$ no' ; lea:e o. all (ett decoration!#
,ord o3 $ heart, no $ore !hall there be
3or $e 'aiting and 'ee(ing in corner!, no
$ore cone!! and !'eetne!! o3
de$eanour# Thou ha!t gi:en $e th !'ord
3or adorn$ent# 1o $ore doll-! decoration!
3or $eGBeauti3ul i! th 'ri!tlet, decked 'ith !tar!
and cunningl 'rought in $riad-coloured
je'el!# But $ore beauti3ul to $e th !'ord
'ith it! cur:e o3 lightning like the
out!(read 'ing! o3 the di:ine bird o3
*i!hnu, (er3ectl (oi!ed in the angr red
light o3 the !un!et#
;t Bui:er! like the one la!t re!(on!e o3 li3e
in ec!ta! o3 (ain at the @nal !troke o3
deathC it !hine! like the (ure Fa$e o3
being burning u( earthl !en!e 'ith one
@erce Fa!h#
Beauti3ul i! th 'ri!tlet, decked 'ith !tarr
ge$!C but th !'ord, O lord o3 thunder, i!
'rought 'ith utter$o!t beaut, terrible to
behold or think o3#
; a!ked nothing 3ro$ theeC ; uttered not $na$e to thine ear# 5hen
thou took-!t th
lea:e ; !tood !ilent# ; 'a! alone b the
'ell 'here the !hado' o3 the tree 3ell
a!lant, and the 'o$en had gone ho$e
'ith their bro'n earthen (itcher! 3ull to
the bri$# The called $e and !houted,
-)o$e 'ith u!, the $orning i! 'earing on
to noon#- But ; languidl lingered a'hile
lo!t in the $id!t o3 :ague $u!ing!#
; heard not th !te(! a! thou ca$e!t# Thine
ee! 'ere !ad 'hen the 3ell on $eC th
:oice 'a! tired a! thou !(oke!t lo'---+h, ;
a$ a thir!t tra:eller#- ; !tarted u( 3ro$ $
da-drea$! and (oured 'ater 3ro$ $ jar
on th joined (al$!# The lea:e! ru!tled
o:erheadC the cuckoo !ang 3ro$ the
un!een dark, and (er3u$e o3 EbablaE
Fo'er! ca$e 3ro$ the bend o3 the road#
; !tood !(eechle!! 'ith !ha$e 'hen $
na$e thou did!t a!k# ;ndeed, 'hat had ;done 3or thee to kee( $e in
re$e$branceD But the $e$or that ;
could gi:e 'ater to thee to alla th thir!t
'ill cling to $ heart and en3old it in
!'eetne!!# The $orning hour i! late, the
bird !ing! in 'ear note!, Enee$E lea:e!
ru!tle o:erhead and ; !it and think and
think#
,anguor i! u(on our heart and the
!lu$ber i! !till on our ee!#
&a! not the 'ord co$e to ou that the
Fo'er i! reigning in !(lendour a$ong
thorn!D 5ake, oh a'akenG let not the ti$e
(a!! in :ainG
+t the end o3 the !ton (ath, in the countr
o3 :irgin !olitude, $ 3riend i! !itting all
alone# <ecei:e hi$ not# 5ake, oh
a'akenG5hat i3 the !k (ant! and tre$ble! 'ith the
heat o3 the $idda !un--'hat i3 the burning
!and !(read! it! $antle o3 thir!t--
;! there no jo in the dee( o3 our heartD
+t e:er 3oot3all o3 our!, 'ill not the har(
o3 the road break out in !'eet $u!ic o3
(ainD
Thu! it i! that th jo in $e i! !o 3ull# Thu!
it i! that thou ha!t co$e do'n to $e# O
thou lord o3 all hea:en!, 'here 'ould be
th lo:e i3 ; 'ere notD
Thou ha!t taken $e a! th (artner o3 all
thi! 'ealth# ;n $ heart i! the endle!! (la
o3 th delight# ;n $ li3e th 'ill i! e:er
taking !ha(e#
+nd 3or thi!, thou 'ho art the Hing o3 king!ha!t decked th!el3 in
beaut to ca(ti:ate
$ heart# +nd 3or thi! th lo:e lo!e! it!el3
in the lo:e o3 th lo:er, and there art thou
!een in the (er3ect union o3 t'o#
,ight, $ light, the 'orld-@lling light, the
ee-ki!!ing light, heart-!'eetening lightG
+h, the light dance!, $ darling, at the
centre o3 $ li3eC the light !trike!, $
darling, the chord! o3 $ lo:eC the !k
o(en!, the 'ind run! 'ild, laughter (a!!e!
o:er the earth#
The butterFie! !(read their !ail! on the !ea
o3 light# ,ilie! and ja!$ine! !urge u( on
the cre!t o3 the 'a:e! o3 light#
The light i! !hattered into gold on e:er
cloud, $ darling, and it !catter! ge$! in
(ro3u!ion#>irth !(read! 3ro$ lea3 to lea3, $ darling,
and gladne!! 'ithout $ea!ure# The
hea:en-! ri:er ha! dro'ned it! bank! and
the Food o3 jo i! abroad#
,et all the !train! o3 jo $ingle in $ la!t
!ong--the jo that $ake! the earth Fo'
o:er in the riotou! e"ce!! o3 the gra!!, the
jo that !et! the t'in brother!, li3e and
death, dancing o:er the 'ide 'orld, the
jo that !'ee(! in 'ith the te$(e!t,
!haking and 'aking all li3e 'ith laughter,
the jo that !it! !till 'ith it! tear! on the
o(en red lotu! o3 (ain, and the jo that
thro'! e:erthing it ha! u(on the du!t, and
kno'! not a 'ord#
6e!, ; kno', thi! i! nothing but th lo:e, O
belo:ed o3 $ heart-- thi! golden light thatdance! u(on the lea:e!,
the!e idle cloud!
!ailing acro!! the !k, thi! (a!!ing bree2e
lea:ing it! coolne!! u(on $ 3orehead#
The $orning light ha! Fooded $
ee!--thi! i! th $e!!age to $ heart# Th
3ace i! bent 3ro$ abo:e, th ee! look
do'n on $ ee!, and $ heart ha!
touched th 3eet#
On the !ea!hore o3 endle!! 'orld!
children $eet# The in@nite !k i!
$otionle!! o:erhead and the re!tle!!
'ater i! boi!terou!# On the !ea!hore o3
endle!! 'orld! the children $eet 'ith
!hout! and dance!#
The build their hou!e! 'ith !and and the
(la 'ith e$(t !hell!# 5ith 'ithered
lea:e! the 'ea:e their boat! and
!$ilingl Foat the$ on the :a!t dee(#)hildren ha:e their (la on the
!ea!hore
o3 'orld!#
The kno' not ho' to !'i$, the kno' not
ho' to ca!t net!# Aearl @!her! di:e 3or
(earl!, $erchant! !ail in their !hi(!, 'hile
children gather (ebble! and !catter the$
again# the !eek not 3or hidden trea!ure!,
the kno' not ho' to ca!t net!#
The !ea !urge! u( 'ith laughter and (ale
glea$! the !$ile o3 the !ea beach#
<eath-dealing 'a:e! !ing $eaningle!!
ballad! to the children, e:en like a $other
'hile rocking her bab-! cradle# The !ea
(la! 'ith children, and (ale glea$! the
!$ile o3 the !ea beach#
On the !ea!hore o3 endle!! 'orld!
children $eet# Te$(e!t roa$! in the
(athle!! !k, !hi(! get 'recked in the
trackle!! 'ater, death i! abroad andchildren (la# On the !ea!hore o3
endle!!
'orld! i! the great $eeting o3 children#
The !lee( that Fit! on bab-! ee!--doe!
anbod kno' 3ro$ 'here it co$e!D 6e!,
there i! a ru$our that it ha! it! d'elling
there, in the 3air :illage a$ong !hado'!
o3 the 3ore!t di$l lit 'ith glo'-'or$!,
there hang t'o ti$id bud! o3 enchant$ent#
9ro$ there it co$e! to ki!! bab-! ee!#
The !$ile that Ficker! on bab-! li(! 'hen
he !lee(!--doe! anbod kno' 'here it
'a! bornD 6e!, there i! a ru$our that a
oung (ale bea$ o3 a cre!cent $oon
touched the edge o3 a :ani!hing autu$n
cloud, and there the !$ile 'a! @r!t born in
the drea$ o3 a de'-'a!hed $orning--the
!$ile that Ficker! on bab-! li(! 'hen he
!lee(!#The !'eet, !o3t 3re!hne!! that bloo$! on
bab-! li$b!--doe! anbod kno' 'here
it 'a! hidden !o longD 6e!, 'hen the
$other 'a! a oung girl it la (er:ading
her heart in tender and !ilent $!ter o3
lo:e--the !'eet, !o3t 3re!hne!! that ha!
bloo$ed on bab-! li$b!#
5hen ; bring to ou coloured to!, $
child, ; under!tand 'h there i! !uch a
(la o3 colour! on cloud!, on 'ater, and
'h Fo'er! are (ainted in tint!--'hen ;
gi:e coloured to! to ou, $ child#
5hen ; !ing to $ake ou dance ; trul no'
'h there i! $u!ic in lea:e!, and 'h
'a:e! !end their choru! o3 :oice! to the
heart o3 the li!tening earth--'hen ; !ing to
$ake ou dance#
5hen ; bring !'eet thing! to our greedhand! ; kno' 'h there i!
hone in the cu(
o3 the Fo'er! and 'h 3ruit! are !ecretl
@lled 'ith !'eet juice--'hen ; bring !'eet
thing! to our greed hand!#
5hen ; ki!! our 3ace to $ake ou !$ile,
$ darling, ; !urel under!tand 'hat
(lea!ure !trea$! 3ro$ the !k in $orning
light, and 'hat delight that i! that i! 'hich
the !u$$er bree2e bring! to $
bod--'hen ; ki!! ou to $ake ou !$ile#
Thou ha!t $ade $e kno'n to 3riend!
'ho$ ; kne' not# Thou ha!t gi:en $e
!eat! in ho$e! not $ o'n# Thou ha!t
brought the di!tant near and $ade a
brother o3 the !tranger#
; a$ unea! at heart 'hen ; ha:e to lea:e
$ accu!to$ed !helterC ; 3orget that there
abide! the old in the ne', and that thereal!o thou abide!t#
Through birth and death, in thi! 'orld or in
other!, 'here:er thou leade!t $e it i!
thou, the !a$e, the one co$(anion o3 $
endle!! li3e 'ho e:er linke!t $ heart 'ith
bond! o3 jo to the un3a$iliar#
5hen one kno'! thee, then alien there i!
none, then no door i! !hut# Oh, grant $e
$ (raer that ; $a ne:er lo!e the bli!! o3
the touch o3 the one in the (la o3 $an#
On the !lo(e o3 the de!olate ri:er a$ong
tall gra!!e! ; a!ked her, ->aiden, 'here do
ou go !hading our la$( 'ith our
$antleD > hou!e i! all dark and
lone!o$e--lend $e our lightG- !he rai!ed
her dark ee! 3or a $o$ent and looked at
$ 3ace through the du!k# -; ha:e co$e to
the ri:er,- !he !aid, -to Foat $ la$( on the!trea$ 'hen the dalight
'ane! in the
'e!t#- ; !tood alone a$ong tall gra!!e! and
'atched the ti$id Fa$e o3 her la$(
u!ele!!l dri3ting in the tide#
;n the !ilence o3 gathering night ; a!ked
her, ->aiden, our light! are all lit--then
'here do ou go 'ith our la$(D >
hou!e i! all dark and lone!o$e--lend $e
our light#- She rai!ed her dark ee! on
$ 3ace and !tood 3or a $o$ent doubt3ul#
-; ha:e co$e,- !he !aid at la!t, -to dedicate
$ la$( to the !k#- ; !tood and 'atched
her light u!ele!!l burning in the :oid#
;n the $oonle!! gloo$ o3 $idnight ; a!k
her, ->aiden, 'hat i! our Bue!t, holding
the la$( near our heartD > hou!e i! all
dark and lone!o$e--lend $e our light#-
She !to((ed 3or a $inute and thought and
ga2ed at $ 3ace in the dark# -; ha:e
brought $ light,- !he !aid, -to join thecarni:al o3 la$(!#- ; !tood and
'atched
her little la$( u!ele!!l lo!t a$ong light!#
5hat di:ine drink 'ould!t thou ha:e, $
God, 3ro$ thi! o:erFo'ing cu( o3 $ li3eD
> (oet, i! it th delight to !ee th creation
through $ ee! and to !tand at the (ortal!
o3 $ ear! !ilentl to li!ten to thine o'n
eternal har$onD
Th 'orld i! 'ea:ing 'ord! in $ $ind
and th jo i! adding $u!ic to the$# Thou
gi:e!t th!el3 to $e in lo:e and then 3eele!t
thine o'n entire !'eetne!! in $e#
She 'ho e:er had re$ained in the de(th o3
$ being, in the t'ilight o3 glea$! and o3
gli$(!e!C !he 'ho ne:er o(ened her :eil!
in the $orning light, 'ill be $ la!t gi3t tothee, $ God, 3olded in $
@nal !ong#
5ord! ha:e 'ooed et 3ailed to 'in herC
(er!ua!ion ha! !tretched to her it! eager
ar$! in :ain#
; ha:e roa$ed 3ro$ countr to countr
kee(ing her in the core o3 $ heart, and
around her ha:e ri!en and 3allen the
gro'th and deca o3 $ li3e#
O:er $ thought! and action!, $
!lu$ber! and drea$!, !he reigned et
d'elled alone and a(art#
>an a $an knocked at $ door and
a!ked 3or her and turned a'a in de!(air#
There 'a! none in the 'orld 'ho e:er !a'
her 3ace to 3ace, and !he re$ained in her
loneline!! 'aiting 3or th recognition#Thou art the !k and thou art the
ne!t a!
'ell#
O thou beauti3ul, there in the ne!t i! th
lo:e that enclo!e! the !oul 'ith colour!
and !ound! and odour!#
There co$e! the $orning 'ith the golden
ba!ket in her right hand bearing the
'reath o3 beaut, !ilentl to cro'n the
earth#
+nd there co$e! the e:ening o:er the
lonel $eado'! de!erted b herd!,
through trackle!! (ath!, carring cool
draught! o3 (eace in her golden (itcher
3ro$ the 'e!tern ocean o3 re!t#
But there, 'here !(read! the in@nite !k
3or the !oul to take her Fight in, reign! the
!tainle!! 'hite radiance# There i! no danor night, nor 3or$ nor colour,
and ne:er,
ne:er a 'ord#
Th !unbea$ co$e! u(on thi! earth o3
$ine 'ith ar$! out!tretched and !tand! at
$ door the li:elong da to carr back to
th 3eet cloud! $ade o3 $ tear! and !igh!
and !ong!#
5ith 3ond delight thou 'ra((e!t about th
!tarr brea!t that $antle o3 $i!t cloud,
turning it into nu$berle!! !ha(e! and 3old!
and colouring it 'ith hue! e:erchanging#
;t i! !o light and !o Feeting, tender and
tear3ul and dark, that i! 'h thou lo:e!t it,
O thou !(otle!! and !erene# +nd that i!
'h it $a co:er th a'3ul 'hite light 'ith
it! (athetic !hado'!#The !a$e !trea$ o3 li3e that run! through
$ :ein! night and da run! through the
'orld and dance! in rhth$ic $ea!ure!#
;t i! the !a$e li3e that !hoot! in jo through
the du!t o3 the earth in nu$berle!! blade!
o3 gra!! and break! into tu$ultuou! 'a:e!
o3 lea:e! and Fo'er!#
;t i! the !a$e li3e that i! rocked in the
ocean-cradle o3 birth and o3 death, in ebb
and in Fo'#
; 3eel $ li$b! are $ade gloriou! b the
touch o3 thi! 'orld o3 li3e# +nd $ (ride i!
3ro$ the li3e-throb o3 age! dancing in $
blood thi! $o$ent#
;! it beond thee to be glad 'ith the
gladne!! o3 thi! rhth$D to be to!!ed and
lo!t and broken in the 'hirl o3 thi! 3ear3uljoD
+ll thing! ru!h on, the !to( not, the look
not behind, no (o'er can hold the$ back,
the ru!h on#
Hee(ing !te(! 'ith that re!tle!!, ra(id
$u!ic, !ea!on! co$e dancing and (a!!
a'a--colour!, tune!, and (er3u$e! (our
in endle!! ca!cade! in the abounding jo
that !catter! and gi:e! u( and die! e:er
$o$ent#
That ; !hould $ake $uch o3 $!el3 and
turn it on all !ide!, thu! ca!ting coloured
!hado'! on th radiance--!uch i! th
E$aaE#
Thou !ette!t a barrier in thine o'n being
and then calle!t th !e:ered !el3 in $riad
note!# Thi! th !el3-!e(aration ha! takenbod in $e#
The (oignant !ong i! echoed through all
the !k in $an-coloured tear! and !$ile!,
alar$! and ho(e!C 'a:e! ri!e u( and !ink
again, drea$! break and 3or$# ;n $e i!
th o'n de3eat o3 !el3#
Thi! !creen that thou ha!t rai!ed i! (ainted
'ith innu$erable @gure! 'ith the bru!h o3
the night and the da# Behind it th !eat i!
'o:en in 'ondrou! $!terie! o3 cur:e!,
ca!ting a'a all barren line! o3
!traightne!!#
The great (ageant o3 thee and $e ha!
o:er!(read the !k# 5ith the tune o3 thee
and $e all the air i! :ibrant, and all age!
(a!! 'ith the hiding and !eeking o3 thee
and $e#&e it i!, the inner$o!t one, 'ho a'aken!
$ being 'ith hi! dee( hidden touche!#
&e it i! 'ho (ut! hi! enchant$ent u(on
the!e ee! and jo3ull (la! on the chord!
o3 $ heart in :aried cadence o3 (lea!ure
and (ain#
&e it i! 'ho 'ea:e! the 'eb o3 thi! E$aaE
in e:ane!cent hue! o3 gold and !il:er, blue
and green, and let! (ee( out through the
3old! hi! 3eet, at 'ho!e touch ; 3orget
$!el3#
<a! co$e and age! (a!!, and it i! e:er he
'ho $o:e! $ heart in $an a na$e, in
$an a gui!e, in $an a ra(ture o3 jo and
o3 !orro'#
<eli:erance i! not 3or $e in renunciation# ;
3eel the e$brace o3 3reedo$ in a thou!andbond! o3 delight#
Thou e:er (oure!t 3or $e the 3re!h draught
o3 th 'ine o3 :ariou! colour! and
3ragrance, @lling thi! earthen :e!!el to the
bri$#
> 'orld 'ill light it! hundred di.erent
la$(! 'ith th Fa$e and (lace the$
be3ore the altar o3 th te$(le#
1o, ; 'ill ne:er !hut the door! o3 $
!en!e!# The delight! o3 !ight and hearing
and touch 'ill bear th delight#
6e!, all $ illu!ion! 'ill burn into
illu$ination o3 jo, and all $ de!ire!
ri(en into 3ruit! o3 lo:e#
The da i! no $ore, the !hado' i! u(on the
earth# ;t i! ti$e that ; go to the !trea$ to @ll$ (itcher#
The e:ening air i! eager 'ith the !ad
$u!ic o3 the 'ater# +h, it call! $e out into
the du!k# ;n the lonel lane there i! no
(a!!er-b, the 'ind i! u(, the ri((le! are
ra$(ant in the ri:er#
; kno' not i3 ; !hall co$e back ho$e# ;
kno' not 'ho$ ; !hall chance to $eet#
There at the 3ording in the little boat the
unkno'n $an (la! u(on hi! lute#
Th gi3t! to u! $ortal! 3ul@l all our need!
and et run back to thee undi$ini!hed#
The ri:er ha! it! e:erda 'ork to do and
ha!ten! through @eld! and ha$let!C et it!
ince!!ant !trea$ 'ind! to'ard! the
'a!hing o3 th 3eet#The Fo'er !'eeten! the air 'ith it!
(er3u$eC et it! la!t !er:ice i! to o.er it!el3
to thee#
Th 'or!hi( doe! not i$(o:eri!h the
'orld#
9ro$ the 'ord! o3 the (oet $en take 'hat
$eaning! (lea!e the$C et their la!t
$eaning (oint! to thee#
<a a3ter da, O lord o3 $ li3e, !hall ;
!tand be3ore thee 3ace to 3ace# 5ith 3olded
hand!, O lord o3 all 'orld!, !hall ; !tand
be3ore thee 3ace to 3ace#
?nder th great !k in !olitude and
!ilence, 'ith hu$ble heart !hall ; !tand
be3ore thee 3ace to 3ace#
;n thi! laboriou! 'orld o3 thine, tu$ultuou!'ith toil and 'ith !truggle,
a$ong
hurring cro'd! !hall ; !tand be3ore thee
3ace to 3ace#
+nd 'hen $ 'ork !hall be done in thi!
'orld, O Hing o3 king!, alone and
!(eechle!! !hall ; !tand be3ore thee 3ace to
3ace#
; kno' thee a! $ God and !tand a(art--;
do not kno' thee a! $ o'n and co$e
clo!er# ; kno' thee a! $ 3ather and bo'
be3ore th 3eet--; do not gra!( th hand a!
$ 3riend-!#
; !tand not 'here thou co$e!t do'n and
o'ne!t th!el3 a! $ine, there to cla!( thee
to $ heart and take thee a! $ co$rade#
Thou art the Brother a$ong!t $ brother!,
but ; heed the$ not, ; di:ide not $earning! 'ith the$, thu! !haring
$ all
'ith thee#
;n (lea!ure and in (ain ; !tand not b the
!ide o3 $en, and thu! !tand b thee# ;
!hrink to gi:e u( $ li3e, and thu! do not
(lunge into the great 'ater! o3 li3e#
5hen the creation 'a! ne' and all the
!tar! !hone in their @r!t !(lendour, the
god! held their a!!e$bl in the !k and
!ang -Oh, the (icture o3 (er3ectionG the jo
unalloedG-
But one cried o3 a !udden---;t !ee$! that
!o$e'here there i! a break in the chain o3
light and one o3 the !tar! ha! been lo!t#-
The golden !tring o3 their har( !na((ed,
their !ong !to((ed, and the cried in
di!$a---6e!, that lo!t !tar 'a! the be!t,!he 'a! the glor o3 all
hea:en!G-
9ro$ that da the !earch i! uncea!ing 3or
her, and the cr goe! on 3ro$ one to the
other that in her the 'orld ha! lo!t it! one
joG
Onl in the dee(e!t !ilence o3 night the
!tar! !$ile and 'hi!(er a$ong
the$!el:e!---*ain i! thi! !eekingG
unbroken (er3ection i! o:er allG-
;3 it i! not $ (ortion to $eet thee in thi!
li3e then let $e e:er 3eel that ; ha:e $i!!ed
th !ight--let $e not 3orget 3or a $o$ent,
let $e carr the (ang! o3 thi! !orro' in $
drea$! and in $ 'ake3ul hour!#
+! $ da! (a!! in the cro'ded $arket o3
thi! 'orld and $ hand! gro' 3ull 'ith the
dail (ro@t!, let $e e:er 3eel that ; ha:egained nothing--let $e not
3orget 3or a
$o$ent, let $e carr the (ang! o3 thi!
!orro' in $ drea$! and in $ 'ake3ul
hour!#
5hen ; !it b the road!ide, tired and
(anting, 'hen ; !(read $ bed lo' in the
du!t, let $e e:er 3eel that the long journe
i! !till be3ore $e--let $e not 3orget a
$o$ent, let $e carr the (ang! o3 thi!
!orro' in $ drea$! and in $ 'ake3ul
hour!#
5hen $ roo$! ha:e been decked out
and the Fute! !ound and the laughter there
i! loud, let $e e:er 3eel that ; ha:e not
in:ited thee to $ hou!e--let $e not 3orget
3or a $o$ent, let $e carr the (ang! o3
thi! !orro' in $ drea$! and in $
'ake3ul hour!#; a$ like a re$nant o3 a cloud o3 autu$n
u!ele!!l roa$ing in the !k, O $ !un
e:er-gloriou!G Th touch ha! not et
$elted $ :a(our, $aking $e one 'ith
th light, and thu! ; count $onth! and
ear! !e(arated 3ro$ thee#
;3 thi! be th 'i!h and i3 thi! be th (la,
then take thi! Feeting e$(tine!! o3 $ine,
(aint it 'ith colour!, gild it 'ith gold, Foat
it on the 'anton 'ind and !(read it in
:aried 'onder!#
+nd again 'hen it !hall be th 'i!h to end
thi! (la at night, ; !hall $elt and :ani!h
a'a in the dark, or it $a be in a !$ile o3
the 'hite $orning, in a coolne!! o3 (urit
tran!(arent#
On $an an idle da ha:e ; grie:ed o:er
lo!t ti$e# But it i! ne:er lo!t, $ lord#Thou ha!t taken e:er $o$ent o3
$ li3e in
thine o'n hand!#
&idden in the heart o3 thing! thou art
nouri!hing !eed! into !(rout!, bud! into
blo!!o$!, and ri(ening Fo'er! into
3ruit3ulne!!#
; 'a! tired and !lee(ing on $ idle bed
and i$agined all 'ork had cea!ed# ;n the
$orning ; 'oke u( and 3ound $ garden
3ull 'ith 'onder! o3 Fo'er!#
Ti$e i! endle!! in th hand!, $ lord#
There i! none to count th $inute!#
<a! and night! (a!! and age! bloo$ and
3ade like Fo'er!# Thou kno'e!t ho' to
'ait#
Th centurie! 3ollo' each other (er3ectinga !$all 'ild Fo'er#
5e ha:e no ti$e to lo!e, and ha:ing no
ti$e 'e $u!t !cra$ble 3or a chance!# 5e
are too (oor to be late#
+nd thu! it i! that ti$e goe! b 'hile ; gi:e
it to e:er Buerulou! $an 'ho clai$! it,
and thine altar i! e$(t o3 all o.ering! to
the la!t#
+t the end o3 the da ; ha!ten in 3ear le!t
th gate to be !hutC but ; @nd that et there
i! ti$e#
>other, ; !hall 'ea:e a chain o3 (earl! 3or
th neck 'ith $ tear! o3 !orro'#
The !tar! ha:e 'rought their anklet! o3
light to deck th 3eet, but $ine 'ill hang
u(on th brea!t#5ealth and 3a$e co$e 3ro$ thee and it i!
3or thee to gi:e or to 'ithhold the$# But
thi! $ !orro' i! ab!olutel $ine o'n, and
'hen ; bring it to thee a! $ o.ering thou
re'arde!t $e 'ith th grace#
;t i! the (ang o3 !e(aration that !(read!
throughout the 'orld and gi:e! birth to
!ha(e! innu$erable in the in@nite !k#
;t i! thi! !orro' o3 !e(aration that ga2e! in
!ilence all night! 3ro$ !tar to !tar and
beco$e! lric a$ong ru!tling lea:e! in
rain darkne!! o3 %ul#
;t i! thi! o:er!(reading (ain that dee(en!
into lo:e! and de!ire!, into !u.ering! and
jo in hu$an ho$e!C and thi! it i! that e:er
$elt! and Fo'! in !ong! through $ (oet-!
heart#5hen the 'arrior! ca$e out @r!t 3ro$ their
$a!ter-! hall, 'here had the hid their
(o'erD 5here 'ere their ar$our and
their ar$!D
The looked (oor and hel(le!!, and the
arro'! 'ere !ho'ered u(on the$ on the
da the ca$e out 3ro$ their $a!ter-! hall#
5hen the 'arrior! $arched back again to
their $a!ter-! hall 'here did the hide
their (o'erD
The had dro((ed the !'ord and dro((ed
the bo' and the arro'C (eace 'a! on their
3orehead!, and the had le3t the 3ruit! o3
their li3e behind the$ on the da the
$arched back again to their $a!ter-! hall#<eath, th !er:ant, i! at $
door# &e ha!
cro!!ed the unkno'n !ea and brought th
call to $ ho$e#
The night i! dark and $ heart i!
3ear3ul--et ; 'ill take u( the la$(, o(en
$ gate! and bo' to hi$ $ 'elco$e# ;t
i! th $e!!enger 'ho !tand! at $ door#
; 'ill 'or!hi( hi$ (lacing at hi! 3eet the
trea!ure o3 $ heart#
&e 'ill go back 'ith hi! errand done,
lea:ing a dark !hado' on $ $orningC
and in $ de!olate ho$e onl $ 3orlorn
!el3 'ill re$ain a! $ la!t o.ering to thee#
;n de!(erate ho(e ; go and !earch 3or her
in all the corner! o3 $ roo$C ; @nd her
not#> hou!e i! !$all and 'hat once ha! gone
3ro$ it can ne:er be regained#
But in@nite i! th $an!ion, $ lord, and
!eeking her ; ha:e to co$e to th door#
; !tand under the golden cano( o3 thine
e:ening !k and ; li3t $ eager ee! to th
3ace#
; ha:e co$e to the brink o3 eternit 3ro$
'hich nothing can :ani!h--no ho(e, no
ha((ine!!, no :i!ion o3 a 3ace !een through
tear!#
Oh, di( $ e$(tied li3e into that ocean,
(lunge it into the dee(e!t 3ullne!!# ,et $e
3or once 3eel that lo!t !'eet touch in the
allne!! o3 the uni:er!e#
<eit o3 the ruined te$(leG The broken!tring! o3 E*inaE !ing no $ore
our (rai!e#
The bell! in the e:ening (roclai$ not our
ti$e o3 'or!hi(# The air i! !till and !ilent
about ou#
;n our de!olate d'elling co$e! the
:agrant !(ring bree2e# ;t bring! the
tiding! o3 Fo'er!--the Fo'er! that 3or our
'or!hi( are o.ered no $ore#
6our 'or!hi((er o3 old 'ander! e:er
longing 3or 3a:our !till re3u!ed# ;n the
e:entide, 'hen @re! and !hado'! $ingle
'ith the gloo$ o3 du!t, he 'earil co$e!
back to the ruined te$(le 'ith hunger in
hi! heart#
>an a 3e!ti:al da co$e! to ou in
!ilence, deit o3 the ruined te$(le# >an
a night o3 'or!hi( goe! a'a 'ith la$(
unlit#>an ne' i$age! are built b $a!ter! o3
cunning art and carried to the hol !trea$
o3 obli:ion 'hen their ti$e i! co$e#
Onl the deit o3 the ruined te$(le
re$ain! un'or!hi((ed in deathle!!
neglect#
1o $ore noi!, loud 'ord! 3ro$ $e--!uch
i! $ $a!ter-! 'ill# &ence3orth ; deal in
'hi!(er!# The !(eech o3 $ heart 'ill be
carried on in $ur$uring! o3 a !ong#
>en ha!ten to the Hing-! $arket# +ll the
buer! and !eller! are there# But ; ha:e
$ unti$el lea:e in the $iddle o3 the
da, in the thick o3 'ork#
,et then the Fo'er! co$e out in $
garden, though it i! not their ti$eC and let
the $idda bee! !trike u( their la2 hu$#9ull $an an hour ha:e ;
!(ent in the !tri3e
o3 the good and the e:il, but no' it i! the
(lea!ure o3 $ (la$ate o3 the e$(t da!
to dra' $ heart on to hi$C and ; kno' not
'h i! thi! !udden call to 'hat u!ele!!
incon!eBuenceG
On the da 'hen death 'ill knock at th
door 'hat 'ilt thou o.er to hi$D
Oh, ; 'ill !et be3ore $ gue!t the 3ull
:e!!el o3 $ li3e--; 'ill ne:er let hi$ go
'ith e$(t hand!#
+ll the !'eet :intage o3 all $ autu$n
da! and !u$$er night!, all the earning!
and gleaning! o3 $ bu! li3e 'ill ; (lace
be3ore hi$ at the clo!e o3 $ da! 'hen
death 'ill knock at $ door#O thou the la!t 3ul@l$ent o3 li3e, <eath, $
death, co$e and 'hi!(er to $eG
<a a3ter da ; ha:e ke(t 'atch 3or theeC
3or thee ha:e ; borne the jo! and (ang! o3
li3e#
+ll that ; a$, that ; ha:e, that ; ho(e and all
$ lo:e ha:e e:er Fo'ed to'ard! thee in
de(th o3 !ecrec# One @nal glance 3ro$
thine ee! and $ li3e 'ill be e:er thine
o'n#
The Fo'er! ha:e been 'o:en and the
garland i! read 3or the bridegroo$# +3ter
the 'edding the bride !hall lea:e her
ho$e and $eet her lord alone in the
!olitude o3 night#
; kno' that the da 'ill co$e 'hen $!ight o3 thi! earth !hall be lo!t,
and li3e 'ill
take it! lea:e in !ilence, dra'ing the la!t
curtain o:er $ ee!#
6et !tar! 'ill 'atch at night, and $orning
ri!e a! be3ore, and hour! hea:e like !ea
'a:e! ca!ting u( (lea!ure! and (ain!#
5hen ; think o3 thi! end o3 $ $o$ent!,
the barrier o3 the $o$ent! break! and ;
!ee b the light o3 death th 'orld 'ith it!
carele!! trea!ure!# Rare i! it! lo'lie!t !eat,
rare i! it! $eane!t o3 li:e!#
Thing! that ; longed 3or in :ain and thing!
that ; got--let the$ (a!!# ,et $e but trul
(o!!e!! the thing! that ; e:er !(urned and
o:erlooked#
; ha:e got $ lea:e# Bid $e 3are'ell, $
brother!G ; bo' to ou all and take $de(arture#
&ere ; gi:e back the ke! o3 $ door--and
; gi:e u( all clai$! to $ hou!e# ; onl a!k
3or la!t kind 'ord! 3ro$ ou#
5e 'ere neighbour! 3or long, but ;
recei:ed $ore than ; could gi:e# 1o' the
da ha! da'ned and the la$( that lit $
dark corner i! out# + !u$$on! ha! co$e
and ; a$ read 3or $ journe#
+t thi! ti$e o3 $ (arting, 'i!h $e good
luck, $ 3riend!G The !k i! Fu!hed 'ith
the da'n and $ (ath lie! beauti3ul#
+!k not 'hat ; ha:e 'ith $e to take there#
; !tart on $ journe 'ith e$(t hand! and
e"(ectant heart#
; !hall (ut on $ 'edding garland# >ine i!not the red-bro'n dre!! o3
the tra:eller,
and though there are danger! on the 'a ;
ha:e no 3ear in $ind#
The e:ening !tar 'ill co$e out 'hen $
:oage i! done and the (lainti:e note! o3
the t'ilight $elodie! be !truck u( 3ro$ the
Hing-! gate'a#
; 'a! not a'are o3 the $o$ent 'hen ; @r!t
cro!!ed the thre!hold o3 thi! li3e#
5hat 'a! the (o'er that $ade $e o(en
out into thi! :a!t $!ter like a bud in the
3ore!t at $idnightG
5hen in the $orning ; looked u(on the
light ; 3elt in a $o$ent that ; 'a! no
!tranger in thi! 'orld, that the in!crutable
'ithout na$e and 3or$ had taken $e in it!
ar$! in the 3or$ o3 $ o'n $other#=:en !o, in death the !a$e
unkno'n 'ill
a((ear a! e:er kno'n to $e# +nd
becau!e ; lo:e thi! li3e, ; kno' ; !hall lo:e
death a! 'ell#
The child crie! out 'hen 3ro$ the right
brea!t the $other take! it a'a, in the :er
ne"t $o$ent to @nd in the le3t one it!
con!olation#
5hen ; go 3ro$ hence let thi! be $
(arting 'ord, that 'hat ; ha:e !een i!
un!ur(a!!able#
; ha:e ta!ted o3 the hidden hone o3 thi!
lotu! that e"(and! on the ocean o3 light,
and thu! a$ ; ble!!ed--let thi! be $
(arting 'ord#
;n thi! (lahou!e o3 in@nite 3or$! ; ha:ehad $ (la and here ha:e ;
caught !ight
o3 hi$ that i! 3or$le!!#
> 'hole bod and $ li$b! ha:e thrilled
'ith hi! touch 'ho i! beond touchC and i3
the end co$e! here, let it co$e--let thi! be
$ (arting 'ord#
5hen $ (la 'a! 'ith thee ; ne:er
Bue!tioned 'ho thou 'ert# ; kne' nor
!hne!! nor 3ear, $ li3e 'a! boi!terou!#
;n the earl $orning thou 'ould!t call $e
3ro$ $ !lee( like $ o'n co$rade and
lead $e running 3ro$ glade to glade#
On tho!e da! ; ne:er cared to kno' the
$eaning o3 !ong! thou !ange!t to $e#
Onl $ :oice took u( the tune!, and $
heart danced in their cadence#1o', 'hen the (lati$e i! o:er, 'hat i!
thi! !udden !ight that i! co$e u(on $eD
The 'orld 'ith ee! bent u(on th 3eet
!tand! in a'e 'ith all it! !ilent !tar!#
; 'ill deck thee 'ith tro(hie!, garland! o3
$ de3eat# ;t i! ne:er in $ (o'er to
e!ca(e unconBuered#
; !urel kno' $ (ride 'ill go to the 'all,
$ li3e 'ill bur!t it! bond! in e"ceeding
(ain, and $ e$(t heart 'ill !ob out in
$u!ic like a hollo' reed, and the !tone 'ill
$elt in tear!#
; !urel kno' the hundred (etal! o3 a lotu!
'ill not re$ain clo!ed 3or e:er and the
!ecret rece!! o3 it! hone 'ill be bared#
9ro$ the blue !k an ee !hall ga2e u(on
$e and !u$$on $e in !ilence# 1othing'ill be le3t 3or $e, nothing
'hate:er, and
utter death !hall ; recei:e at th 3eet#
5hen ; gi:e u( the hel$ ; kno' that the
ti$e ha! co$e 3or thee to take it# 5hat
there i! to do 'ill be in!tantl done# *ain
i! thi! !truggle#
Then take a'a our hand! and !ilentl
(ut u( 'ith our de3eat, $ heart, and
think it our good 3ortune to !it (er3ectl
!till 'here ou are (laced#
The!e $ la$(! are blo'n out at e:er
little (u. o3 'ind, and tring to light the$ ;
3orget all el!e again and again#
But ; !hall be 'i!e thi! ti$e and 'ait in the
dark, !(reading $ $at on the FoorC and
'hene:er it i! th (lea!ure, $ lord, co$e
!ilentl and take th !eat here#; di:e do'n into the de(th o3 the ocean
o3
3or$!, ho(ing to gain the (er3ect (earl o3
the 3or$le!!#
1o $ore !ailing 3ro$ harbour to harbour
'ith thi! $ 'eather- beaten boat# The
da! are long (a!!ed 'hen $ !(ort 'a!
to be to!!ed on 'a:e!#
+nd no' ; a$ eager to die into the
deathle!!#
;nto the audience hall b the 3atho$le!!
ab!! 'here !'ell! u( the $u!ic o3
tonele!! !tring! ; !hall take thi! har( o3 $
li3e#
; !hall tune it to the note! o3 3ore:er, and
'hen it ha! !obbed out it! la!t utterance,
la do'n $ !ilent har( at the 3eet o3 the!ilent#
=:er in $ li3e ha:e ; !ought thee 'ith $
!ong!# ;t 'a! the 'ho led $e 3ro$ door
to door, and 'ith the$ ha:e ; 3elt about
$e, !earching and touching $ 'orld#
;t 'a! $ !ong! that taught $e all the
le!!on! ; e:er learntC the !ho'ed $e
!ecret (ath!, the brought be3ore $ !ight
$an a !tar on the hori2on o3 $ heart#
The guided $e all the da long to the
$!terie! o3 the countr o3 (lea!ure and
(ain, and, at la!t, to 'hat (alace gate ha:e
the brought $e in the e:ening at the end o3
$ journeD
; boa!ted a$ong $en that ; had kno'n
ou# The !ee our (icture! in all 'ork! o3$ine# The co$e and a!k
$e, -5ho i! heD-
; kno' not ho' to an!'er the$# ; !a,
-;ndeed, ; cannot tell#- The bla$e $e and
the go a'a in !corn# +nd ou !it there
!$iling#
; (ut $ tale! o3 ou into la!ting !ong!#
The !ecret gu!he! out 3ro$ $ heart# The
co$e and a!k $e, -Tell $e all our
$eaning!#- ; kno' not ho' to an!'er
the$# ; !a, -+h, 'ho kno'! 'hat the
$eanG- The !$ile and go a'a in utter
!corn# +nd ou !it there !$iling#
;n one !alutation to thee, $ God, let all
$ !en!e! !(read out and touch thi! 'orld
at th 3eet#
,ike a rain-cloud o3 %ul hung lo' 'ith it!
burden o3 un!hed !ho'er! let all $ $ind
bend do'n at th door in one !alutation tothee#
,et all $ !ong! gather together their
di:er!e !train! into a !ingle current and
Fo' to a !ea o3 !ilence in one !alutation to
thee#
,ike a Fock o3 ho$e!ick crane! Fing
night and da back to their $ountain ne!t!
let all $ li3e take it! :oage to it! eternal
ho$e in one !alutation to thee#=nd o3 the Aroject Gutenberg =Book o3
Gitanjali, b Rabindranath Tagore'''#$bebook#co$
;$agination#$ake!#creation