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?