{"id":1435,"date":"2013-07-13T01:34:48","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=1435"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:34:48","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:34:48","slug":"70-khaled-of-the-sea-vol-05-collected-poems-volume-05","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/05-collected-poems-volume-05\/70-khaled-of-the-sea-vol-05-collected-poems-volume-05","title":{"rendered":"-70_Khaled of The Sea.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n
\n
\nKHALED OF THE SEA<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\nAn
\nArabic Romance<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nAn early work, conceived in twelve cantos with a<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPrologue and Epilogue, found unrevised and incomplete.<\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n


\n <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n

\nPrologue<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n        <\/span>    Alnuman and the Peri<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nCanto 1
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nStory of Alnuman and the Emir
\nCanto 2 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nCompanions of Alnuman 1
\nCanto 3 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nCompanions of Alnuman 2
\nCanto 4 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nCompanions of Alnuman 3
\nCanto 5 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nFirst Quest of the Sapphire Crown
\nCanto 6 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nQuest of the- Golden Snake<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCanto
\n7<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nQuest of the Marble Queen
\nCanto 8<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nQuest of the Snowbird
\nCanto 9<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nSecond Quest of the Sapphire Crown
\nCanto 10<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nJourney of the Green Oasis <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCanto
\n11<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nJourney of the Irremeable Ocean
\nCanto 12<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nJourney of the Land without Pity
\nEpilogue <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nArabian and the Caliph.
\n <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-261<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nPrologue<\/b><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/span><\/font>A<\/font>LNUMAN
\nAND <\/font>T<\/font>HE<\/font><\/span> PERI<\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nIn
\nBagdad by Euphrates, Asia’s river, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nEuphrates
\nthat through deserts  must deliver <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nvoices which of human daybreaks are <\/span><\/p>\n

\nInto
\nthe dim mysterious surge afar,
\nThe Arabian dwelt; after long travel he
\nRegions deserted, wastes of silent sea,
\nWide Ocean ignorant of ships and lands
\nNever made glad by toil of mortal hands,
\nFor he had seen the Indian mountains bare
\nSave of hard snow and the un breathed huge air <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nswum through giant waters and had heard
\nIn those unhuman forests beast and bird,
\nThe peacock’s cry and tiger’s hoarse appeal <\/span><\/p>\n

\nCalling
\nto God for prey, marked the vast wheel <\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\nmonstrous birds shadowing whole countries; he <\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom
\nsinghal through the long infinity
\nOf southern floods had steered his shuddering ship <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhere
\nunknown winds their lonely tumult keep <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nhe had lived with strong and pitiless men, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nNations
\nunhumanised by joy and pain,
\nAnd he had tasted grain not sown by man
\nAnd drunk strange milk in weird  mazinderan. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nSilent
\nhe was, as one whom thoughts attend, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nDistant
\nwhom stiller hearts than ours befriend
\nHe lived with memories only; no sweet voice <\/span><\/p>\n

\nMade
\nthe mute echoes of his life rejoice;
\nNo lovely face of children brought the dawn
\nInto his home; but silent, calm, withdrawn,
\nHe watched the ways of men with godlike eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

\n Released
\nfrom trammelling affinities,1<\/sup><\/span>
\nYet was he
\nyoung and many women strove <\/span><\/p>\n

\nVainly
\nto win his marble mind to love.
\nOne day when wind had fled to the cool north <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nthe strong earth was blind with summer, forth <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nArabian rode from great Bagdad and turned <\/span><\/p>\n

\nInto
\nthe desert. All around him burned –<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n1 <\/font><\/sup>
\nLarge as from commerce with infinities,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-263<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe
\nimprisoned spirit of fire; above his head <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nsky was like a tyranny outspread,
\nThe sun a fire in those heavens, and fire
\nThe sands beneath; the air burning desire
\nAnd breathless, a plumb weight of flame; yet rode <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nArabian unfeeling like a god.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Three
\nhours he rode and now no more was seen
\nBagdad, the imperial city, nor aught green,
\nBut the illimitable sands around
\nExtend, a silent world waiting for sound,
\nWhen in the distance he descried a grace
\nOf motion beautiful in that dead place.
\nWondering he turned, but suddenly the horse <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPricked
\nup his slender ears, swerved from the course <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\npawing stood the unwilling air, nor heard <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nguiding voice nor the familiar word. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhinnying
\nwith wrath he smote the desert sand <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nmocked the rein and raged at the command. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen
\nraised the man his face and saw above
\nNo cloud with the stark face of heaven strove,
\nA single blaze of light from pole to pole.
\nSmiling the Arabian spoke unto his soul.
\n"Here too then are you strong, O influences
\nThat trouble the earth and air and the strong seas! <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTherefore
\nI will not stay your gathering wings <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho
\nwatch me from the air, you living things,
\nBut go to find whatever peril or wonder
\nWait me of life above the earth or under.
\nStrange will it be if quiet Bagdad yield
\nMore terror or more sweetness in field
\nHas stayed me yet or in untravelled flood
\nOr mountain or the tiger-throated wood."
\nSo saying he grasped the strong and shaken mane <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nset swift footing on that fiery plain.
\nAt once the beast as if by sorcery
\nStrangely compelled, calmed his impetuous eye: <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis
\nangry tremor ceased and bounding wrath <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Following
\nunbidden in the Arabian’s path.
\nBut he with silent toil the sands untried <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nVanquishing
\nthrough that luminous world and wide<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n 
\n Page-264
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nWent a slow shadow, till his feet untired <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nfruit of all his labour long acquired. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBefore
\na mile complete he was aware
\nOf a strange shape of beauty sitting there
\n<\/span>
\nOn
\na sole boulder in the level wild,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Maiden,
\na marvellous bloom, a naked child;
\nAll like a lily from her leaves escaped
\nThe golden summer kissed her close and wrapped
\nIn soft revealing sunshine, – a sweet bareness,
\nA creature made of flowers and choicest fairness; <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nall her limbs were like a luminous dream,
\n<\/span>
\nSo
\nwonderfully white they burn and gleam,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Her
\nshoulder ivory richly bathed in gold,
\nHer sides a snowy wonder to behold,
\nMarble made amorous; her body fair
\nSeemed one with the divine, translucent air,
\nA light within the light, a glorious treasure,
\nA thing to hold, to press, to slay with pleasure.
\nThe girl was not alone, but with her watched
\nTwo shapes of beauty and of terror hatched,
\nA strong, fierce snake, round her sweet middle twined, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA
\ntigress at her lovely feet reclined.
\nDreaming on those tremendous sands she waited <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\noften with that splendour miscreated
\nPlayed thoughtfully; about her wondrous knees <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBinding
\nthe brilliant death or would increase
\nThe whiteness of her limbs with its fierce hues
\nOr twine it in her tresses flowing loose.
\nBelow that other restless evil played,
\nThe fierce, sleek terror on the sands outspread.
\nFirst of the wonderful three rose with a bound <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Waking
\nthe desert from its sleep with sound
\nThe tigress, but the Arabian strode more near
\nAs one who had forgotten how to fear
\nAnd frowning like a god with kingly look
\nHe threatened the preparing death and shook
\nHis javelin in the sun. Back crouched the fiend <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAmazed
\nnor could the steely light attend
\nNor that unconquerable glance; yet lowered
\nTo find her dreadful violence overpowered<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n 
\n Page-265<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\nBy
\nany smaller thing than death; and he<\/span>
\n<\/span>Heeded
\nno more crouched limb nor stealthy eye.
\nHe on that flowerlike shape a moment gazed
\nAs one by strange felicity amazed,
\nWho, long grown sorrow’s friend his whole life grieves, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBlest
\nbeyond expectation, scarce believes
\nThat joy is in his heart, so gazed, so laid
\nAt last upon the white and gleaming maid
\nThe question of his hands. O soft and real
\nThe nakedness he grasped, no marble ideal
\nBorn of the blazing light and infinite air,
\nA breathing woman with lovely limbs and bare.
\nThen with a strong melodious voice he cried
\nAnd all his cheek was flushed with kingly 1<\/sup> pride. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n"Thou
\nthen art mine, after long labour mine,
\nO earthly body and O soul divine,
\nAfter long labour and thy sounding home
\nHast left and caverns where thy sisters roam,
\nO dweller where the austral tempest raves!
\nO daughter of the wild and beautiful waves!
\nO breasts of’ beauty! O shoulder! my delight!
\nO luminously near! O woman white!
\nAt length I grasp thee then and snared at length
\nThe ivory swiftness of thy feet and strength
\nOf this immortal body shaped for kings,
\nO memory of sweet and dreadful things!
\nAh, welcome to the streets that human tread
\nMakes musical and joy of human bread
\nBroken between dry hands and to the sight
\nOf the untroubled narrow rivers, light
\nOf lamps and warmth of kindled fires and man. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFairer
\nshall be thy feet on greensward than
\nOn ocean rocks and O! more bright thy beauty
\nFor human passion and for womanly duty
\nAnd softer in my bosom shalt thou sleep
\nThan lulled by the sublime and monstrous deep. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMuch
\nhave I laboured; the resplendent face
\nOf summer I have hated, as the days
\nWent by and no delightful brook was found<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n1 <\/sup>
\nroyal<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n


\n 
\n Page-266<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nSprinkling with earth’s cool love the ruthless ground, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nin my throat there was a desert’s thirst
\nAnd on my tongue a fire: I have cursed
\nThe spring and all its flowers; the wrathful cry
\nOf the wild Waters and their cruelty
\nI have endured, labouring with sail and oar <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThrough
\nthe mad tempest for some human shore <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nfought with winds and seen vast Hell aflame <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDown
\nin the nether flood till I became
\nBlind with the sight of those abysmal graves
\nAnd deaf with the eternal sound of waves
\nAnd all my heart was broken alone to be
\nDay after day with the unending sea.
\nAnd much on land I have laboured without moan <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOr
\nweakening tears making my heart a stone.
\nBut thou art come and I shall hear no more
\nBy inexorable rocks the Ocean roar,
\nNor pine in dungeons far from pity or aid
\nBut in far other prison, seaborn maid,
\nThy limbs shall minister to my delight
\nEven as an ordinary woman’s might
\nAnd I shall hear thy voice around my heart
\nLike a cool rivulet and shall not start
\nTo see thee ivory gleaming and all night
\nShall feel thee in my arms, O darling white<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n\u2013<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith
\nafter-joys that spring from these; the face
\nOf childish loveliness shall light my days,
\nAbout my doors the feet of children tread
\nAnd little heads with jonquils garlanded,
\nThat often to sweetness win war-hardened eyes <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nhearts grown iron their soft masteries
\nCompel and the light touch of little hands
\nBend sworded fingers to their sweet commands.
\n<\/span>
\nO
\nbright felicity, labbur’s dear end,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Into
\nmy arms, into my heart descend."
\nSo as he spoke, the silent desert air
\nLived with his gladness, and the maiden there <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nListened
\nwith downcast lids arid a soft flush
\nUpon her like the coming of a blush.
\nBut when he finished and the air was mute,<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n 
\n Page-267<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n She
\nlaughed with happy lips most like a flute
\nOr voice of cuckoo in an Indian grove
\nWaking the heart to vague delightful love.
\nAnd with divine eyes gleaming where strange mirth
\nA smiling mischief was, the living girth
\nOf her delicious waist she suddenly
\nUnbound and by the middle lifting high
\nBetwixt them shook. Hissed the fierce snake and raised <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIts
\njewelled hood for spotted radiance praised,
\nIts jewelled hood to the dread leap intended;
\nSad limit of noble life, had that descended.
\nSince short were his breath and evil, who that pang <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nExperienced;
\nbut before the serpent sprang, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Wrathful,
\nthe Arabian seized the glittering neck
\nAnd twines of bronze burning with many a fleck
\nOf coloured fire. His angry grasp to quell
\nVainly the formidable folds rebel:
\nNot all that gordian force and slippery strength
\nOf coils availed. Inanimate at length
\nThe immense destroyer on the Arabian’s wrist
\nHung in a ruin loose; and to resist
\nThe wrath of love none now might intervene,
\nNor she deny him. Yet with tranquil mien
\nSmiling she sat and swept with noble gesture
\nHer hair back that had fallen a purple investure
\nOver her glowing grace. Strong arms he cast
\nAround her naked loveliness and fast
\nShowered kisses on her limbs whose marble white <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGrew
\nwoman with a soft and rosy light
\nIn each kissed place. "Deemedst thou then," he cried, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n"Bright
\nfugitive, lovely wanderer with the tide,
\nBy shaking death before death-practised eyes
\nMy crown to wrest of strenuous enterprise,
\nThyself, thyself and beauty? O too sweet
\nTo touch our hard earth with thy faultless feet!
\nYet on hard earth must dwell. For with the ground <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy
\ndreadful guardians who have fenced thee round <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre
\nequalled, and thyself, sweet, though thou shame <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nwinds with swiftness or like mounting flame
\n 
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-268<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nStrive all thy days in my imprisoning arms <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCouldst
\nbum thyself no exit. With alarms <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMenace
\nand shapes of death; call on the flood <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor
\nthy deliverance on these sands to intrude <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nlead thee to its jealous waters rude;
\nBut hands that, have flung back the swallowing sea <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShall
\nstay and chastise and habituate thee
\nTo yield sweet service due, being my slave <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBought
\nwith hard pains from the reluctant wave, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith
\npain ineffable bought and deep despair <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\npassion of impracticable care."
\nSo saying he seized his lovely prize and grasping <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer
\nfair soft arm in one hand, the other clasping, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer
\nsmooth desired thighs, from that rude seat, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\ngrey sun-blistered boulder most unmeet
\nTo bear her snow-white radiance, lifted. She
\nAs to his horse he bore her mightily,
\nA little strove in his strong arms, but round
\nHer lithe, reluctant limbs closer he bound
\nHis despot hands and on the saddle set,
\nNever with such sweet rider burdened yet.
\nThen to his seat he sprang and musical
\nHis cry in that vast silence, wherewithal
\nHe urged his horse, which delicately went <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nArching
\nits neck with joy and proud content. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGreat
\nwere the Arabian’s labours; many seas <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe
\nhad passed and borne impossible miseries <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nbattled with impracticable ills
\nO’er uncrossed rivers and forbidden hills, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTill
\nnature fainted. Yet too little was this <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo
\nmerit all the heaven now made his.
\nFor she, earth’s wonder, hard to grasp as fire,
\nShe whom all ocean’s secret depths admire,
\nLaid her delicious cheek to his and flung
\nSweet, bare arms on his neck and round him clung: <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer
\nsnowy side was of his being a part;
\nHer naked breast burdened his throbbing heart, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nall her hair streamed over him and the whiteness <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\nher was in his eyes and her soft brightness<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n


\n Page-269<\/p>\n

<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nA joy beneath his hands to his embrace
\nAnd he was clothed with her as in a dress.
\nRound them the strong recovered coils were rolled
\n<\/span>
\nOf
\nthe great snake and with imperious fold <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCompelled
\ntheir limbs together, and by their side <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPacing
\nthe tigress checked her dangerous stride.
\nSo rode they like a vision. All the time
\nShe murmured accents as of linked rhyme
\nMusical, in a language like the sea,
\nAccents of undulating melody.
\nFor sometimes it was like a happy noon
\nMurmuring with waves and sometimes like the swoon <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Of
\ncalm, a silence heard, or rich by noise
\nOf rivers pouring with their seaward voice
\nAnd leaping laughters and sometimes was wild
\nAnd passionate as the sobbing of a child.
\nBut often it was like the cold salt spray
\nOn a health-reddened cheek and glad with day
\nAnd life and sad with the far-moaning call
\nOf wind upon the waters funeral.
\nNot on the lips of man might fashioned be
\nA language of such wild variety.
\nNow of that magic tongue no separate word.
\nWas of Alnuman understood or heard,
\nAnd yet he knew that of the caves she spoke
\nWhere never earthly light of sunshine woke;
\nAnd of unfathomed things beneath the floods
\nAnd peopled depths and Ocean solitudes
\nAnd mighty creatures of the main and light
\nOf jewels making a subluminous night
\nLower than even the dead may sink; and walls
\nOf coral and in what majestic halls,
\nThe naked sea-born sisters link their dance;
\nHow sometimes on the shores their white limbs glance <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn
\nthe mysterious moonlight; how they come
\nTo river banks far from their secret home;
\nAnd last she spoke of mighty Love that reaches <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nResistless
\narms beyond the long sea-beaches
\nAnd mocks the barriers of the storm, and how
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n Page-270<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nPearls unattainable a human brow
\nHave decked and man, the child of misery, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBeen
\nmated with the sisters of the sea.
\nSo on she murmured like a ceaseless song <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMaking
\nthe<\/span>
\n<\/span>weary
\nsands a rapture; long
\nThe patient desert round them waits; nor soon <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nsun toiled through the endless afternoon: <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut
\nthey paced always like a marvellous dream, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\ndreamlike in the eyes of man might seem <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSuch
\nmagic vision (had human eyes been found <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn
\nthe sole desert void of sign or bound),<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n–<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nhorse that feared its dread companion not, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nkingly man with brow of reaching thought <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\ndanger-hardened strength; fair as the morn, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nradiant girl upon his saddle borne,
\nNaked, a vision not of earth; the fell
\nSerpent that twined about them, terrible
\nWith burning hues, and the fierce tigress there <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFollowing
\nwith noiseless step the godlike pair. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor
\nwhen to Bagdad and its street they came, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDid
\nany eye behold. Only a name<\/span>
\n<\/span>Was
\nin the ears of the grim warders. Straight
\nLike engines blind of some overmastering fate <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThey
\nrose, the mighty bolts they drew; loud jarred. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\ndoors unhearing with deaf iron barred
\nAnd groaned upon their road; then backward swung <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhirling
\nand kissed again with clamorous tongue; <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor
\nin the streets was any step of man,
\nBefore loud wheels no swift torchbearers ran <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSetting
\nthe night on fire; bright and rare
\nThe garlanded high-shuttered windows, where
\nMen revelled and sound into the shadows cast:
\nAll else was night and silence where they passed. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSo
\nis the beautiful sea-stranger gone
\nTo her new home, who now no more must run <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUpon
\nthe bounding waves, nor feel the sun.
\nOn wind-blown limbs, destined a mortal’s bride.
\nSo is the strong Arabian deified<\/span>
\n<\/span>In
\nbliss. Moreover from the wondrous night<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n 
\n Page-271<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\nWhen
\nwith those small beloved feet grew bright <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis
\nlonely house, wealth like a sea swept through <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIts
\ndoors and as a dwelling of gods it grew
\nIn beauty and in brightness. All that thrives <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCostly
\nor fragrant upon earth or lives
\nOf riches in the hoarding ocean lost
\nAnd all bright things with gold or gems embossed <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

By
\nIndian or by Syrian art refined
\nAnd all rich cloths and silks with jewels lined <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Regal
\nBokhara weaves or Samarcand,
\nIncreased and gathered to AInuman’s hand
\nAnd girls of glorious limb and feature he
\nBougbt for his slaves, of rose and ivory,
\nSweet pers:ians with the honey-hiding mouth <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\npassionate Arab girls and strong-limbed youth <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\nTartar maidens for his harem doors.<\/span>
\n<\/span>For
\nnow not vainly the fair child implores
\nOf Shaikh or of Emir his love for boon,<\/span>
\n<\/span>But
\nwith high marriage-rites some prosperous moon <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAt
\nlast has brought into the marble pride
\nOf that great house for envy edified.
\nSo in Bagdad the Arabian dwelt nor seemed <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOther
\nhis life than theirs who never dreamed <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBeyond
\nearth’s ken, nor made in sun and breeze <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTheir
\nspirits great with shock of the strong seas, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor
\nfortified their hearts with pains sublime <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor
\nwrestled with the bounds of space and time. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLike
\ncommon men he lived to whom the ray <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\na new sun but brings another day <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUnmeaning,
\nwho in their own selves confined <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nKnow
\nnot the grandeur which the mightier mind <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nInherits
\nwhen it makes the destinies rude
\nThe chisel by which its marble mass and crude <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith
\nGod’s or hero’s likeness is indued.
\nYet this was also rumoured that within
\nThe sheath of that calm life he sojourned in <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAn
\nedge of flaming rapture was, that things <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBeyond
\nall transitory imaginings
\nCame to him secret and vast pleasures more<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-272
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nThan frail humanity had dared to feel before. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSince
\ntoo much joy man’s heart can hardly bear <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nall too weak man’s narrow senses were <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor
\nraptures that eternal spirits attain
\nIn sensuous heavens ignorant of pain.
\nYet even such raptures mortal man’s could be <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWed
\nwith the child of <\/i>the unbounded sea.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n 
\n Page-273<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\nC<\/font>ANTO<\/font><\/span>
\n<\/span>I<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n


\nT<\/font>HE STORY OF <\/font>A<\/font>LMAlMUN1<\/sup> AND <\/font>T<\/font>HE <\/font>
\nE<\/font>MIR’S <\/font>D<\/font>AUGHTER
\n<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nNow
\nin great Bagdad of the Abbasside<\/span>
\n<\/span>The
\nwanderer rests, to peace at last allied, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhom
\nstorm so long had tossed to storm, and grace
\nOf love dwelt with him and the nobleness
\nOf hearts made golden by felicity,
\nWhich is earth’s preferable alchemy.
\nThe other is from pain the metal wrought,
\nAnguish and wrestling in the coils of thought. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThese
\nstrengthen, these the mind as marble hard <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMake
\nand as marble pure, which has not feared
\nTo scourge itself with insight; but the stress
\nOf joy heightened to self-forgetfulness
\nIs sweeter and to sweeter uses tends.
\nWith such felicity were crowned the friends
\nAnd lovers of Almaimun and increase
\nIn the glad strength that grows from boundless peace. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\neach as<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nto<\/span>
\n<\/span>her
\norb the sunflower burns
\nHis spirit to his spirit’s image turns.
\nSuch puissance great well-poised natures prove
\nTo mould to their own likeness all they love.
\nBut where is she who lit his doubtful morn,
\nWhose sweet imagined shape each hour new-born <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBrightened
\nbut to illumine, kindled each
\nStray look with godhead and her daily speech
\nA far ethereal music made, for whom
\nHe sought the wild waves and the peopled gloom <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\nthe unseen? Must only she make moan?
\nShe in the crowded chambers is alone
\nAnd closes eyes kept dry by anguished pride
\nTo wake in tears that hardly will be dried.
\nHappy the heart and more than earthly blest
\nThat for those hands was meant where ’tis possessed <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat
\nto no alien house at the end has come
\nBut winging goes as to its natural home.
\nThe evening bird with no more simple flight<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n1<\/sup>
\nName changed in MS. on this page<\/font><\/span> 
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-274<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\nReaches
\nits one unfailing nest at night.
\nThe heart which Fate not always here perverse <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith
\nthe one possible home out of an universe, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMakes
\nsimply happy there secure shall dwell, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling
\nthat to be there is only well
\nAnd equal happy whether queenly chair
\nHer portion or she kneel loose-girdled there
\nAnd serve him as a slave. Alike ’tis heaven,
\nRule or obedience to the one heart given.
\nSo did not bright Zuleikha deem when she
\nThe temple was of his idolatry.
\nImpatient of’divine subjection, all
\nLove’s wealth was to her grace imperial
\nPurple and diadems and earth’s noblest gift
\nBut vantage her disdainful pride to lift.
\nShe was an Emir’s daughter and her sire
\nClothed her in jewels and sublime attire,
\nFrom silver dishes fed and emerald
\nAnd in a world of delicate air installed
\nSo that her nature with these costly things
\nBeing burdened raised in vain its heavenward wings. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

From
\nKoraish and the Abbasside he drew
\nHis stern extraction. Yet what brighter grew <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAbout
\nhis formidable name accursed
\nWas a white fire of riches and the thirst
\nOf poor men gazing with a bitter stealth
\nOn that impossibility of wealth.
\n"Abdullah, the Emir", so men would say
\nDrawing their rags about them, "has. display
\nOf gold and silver and the sunlight fades
\nAt noon in his wide treasury and the shades <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\nmidnight are more luminous there than birth <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf
\nday upon the ordinary earth.
\nHe has rich garments, would the naked clothe <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom
\nBagdad to the sea, were he not loth; <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The
\nleavbngs of his menials far exceed
\nIn Khorassan the labourer’s sharpened need, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nsince by thee this fair display was planned, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nO
\nGod, yet from the beggar’s outstretched hand <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe
\nguards his boundless trust ignobly well,
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n Page-275<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nJust Lord, display to him the fires of Hell." <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nhere another pressing from his eye
\nHis children’s pining looks, made sad reply: <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n"Richer
\nhis wealth than widest chambers hold, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNot
\nin the weary heaps of ingots told <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEntirely,
\nnor the cloths Damascus yields, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor
\nwhat the seas give up, nor what the fields. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe
\ngathers ever with exhaustless hands:
\nHis camels heave across the endless sands. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThrough
\nBalkh when to Caboul or Candahar <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nwains go groaning or the evening star <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWatches
\nthe pomp of the wide caravan <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIntend
\nto provinces Arabian
\nHalf is Abdullah the Emir\u2019s: and he<\/span>
\n<\/span>Gets
\nspices of the south and porphyry;
\n<\/span>
\nHis
\nare the Chinese silks, the Indian work<\/span>
\n<\/span>Saved
\nhardly from the horsehooves of the Turk; <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

From
\nBalsora the ships that o\u2019er the bar
\nReel into Ocean’s grasp, AbdulIah’s are; <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYemen’s
\nfar ports are with his ventures full;
\n<\/span>
\nMuscat
\n<\/span>transmits
\nhim horses, arms and woo1.<\/span>
\n<\/span>The
\ndesert rider hopes no richer prize
\nTo handle than Abdullah’s merchandize; <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith
\njoy the Malayan sea-robber hails <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis
\nargosy and for his western sails <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The
\nMoorish pirates all the horizon scan
\nUpon the far Mediterranean.
\nYet though his losses make the desert great
\nAnd Ocean a new treasury create
\nFrom his sole rapine, yet untouched endure <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis
\nriches by that vast expenditure.
\nHe takes but to increase his piles of gold,
\nHe gives but to recover hundredfold.
\nThereby the poor increase. Wherefore I trust, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

When
\nAzrael shall smite his limbs to dust
\nAnd he upon that dolorous bridge is led <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhich,
\nlord and peasant, all must one day tread, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe
\nbitter sword that spans the nether hell,
\nHe may be evened with the infide1."
\nAnd one might answer mid these wretched men
\n <\/font>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-276<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\nWho quiet was from constancy to pain: <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n"Curse
\nhim not either lest the Kazi find <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd
\nGod loose not the chains that he shall bind." <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor
\nhe indeed was mighty in the town,
\nA man acceptable in his renown.
\n<\/span>
\nThe
\nMullahs <\/i>to his will interpreted <\/span>
\n,
\n<\/span>Their
\nbooks and the law’s lightning from his head <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGlanced
\non the rash accuser; for his word<\/span>
\n<\/span>Was
\nHedoya before the Kazi heard. .
\nBut whence the fountain of his wealth might flow <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWell
\ndid the sad <\/span>
\nand
\ntoiling peasant know.
\nFor he as governor in Khorassan
\n<\/span>Had
\nheld the balance betwixt man and man
\nAnd justified his rule benevolent
\nBy rape and torture for their own good meant,
\nThe fallen roof-tree and the broken door
\nAnd rents wrung from the miserable poor.
\nAnd now hemmed in with lustrous things and proud, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEach
\nday a pomp, each night with music loud,
\nHe blazed, however his eye a darkness cast
\nAnd pleasure by his sense external passed.
\nYet joy he had over his gathered gold
\nAnd in that one sweet maiden joy untold.
\nDaughter of Noureddin the Barmecide<\/span>
\n<\/span>Was
\nshe who bore this brightness, but when died
\nJaafar and all his house fell like a tower
\nLoosened in the mutation of an hour,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Abdullah
\nfound his foe an outlawed man, <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Proscribed,
\na heretic and Persian
\nAnd slew him with the sword juridical <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBetween
\nhis golden house and Allah\u2019s wall.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n


\n(Incomplete)<\/i><\/p>\n

 
\n
\nPage-277<\/p>\n

<\/font>
\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KHALED OF THE SEA An Arabic Romance   An early work, conceived in twelve cantos with a Prologue and Epilogue, found unrevised and incomplete.  …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-05-collected-poems-volume-05","wpcat-32-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1435\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}