{"id":1463,"date":"2013-07-13T01:34:58","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=1463"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:34:58","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:34:58","slug":"68-love-and-death-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\/68-love-and-death-vol-05-collected-poems-volume-05","title":{"rendered":"-68_Love and Death.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

\n
\nLove
\nand Death <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n

\nI<\/font>n woodlands of the bright and early world, <\/p>\n

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

\nWhen
\nlove was to himself yet new and warm <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nstainless, played like morning with a flower <\/p>\n

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

\nRuru
\nwith his young bride Priyumvada.<\/p>\n

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

\nFresh-cheeked
\nand dew-eyed white Priyumvada .
\nOpened her budded heart of crimson bloom
\nTo love, to Ruru; Ruru, a happy flood
\nOf passion round a lotus dancing thrilled,
\nBlinded with his soul’s waves Priyumvada.
\nTo him the earth was a bed for this sole flower,
\nTo <\/i>her all the world was filled with his embrace. <\/p>\n

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

\nWet
\nwith new rains the morning earth, released <\/p>\n

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

\nFrom
\nher fierce centuries and burning suns,
\nLavished her breath in greenness; poignant flowers <\/p>\n

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

\nThronged
\nall her eager breast, and her young arms <\/p>\n

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

\nCradled
\na childlike bounding life that played
\nAnd would not cease, nor ever weary grew <\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\nher bright promise; for all was joy and breeze <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nperfume, colour and bloom and ardent rays <\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\nliving, and delight desired the world.
\nThen Earth was quick and pregnant tamelessly;
\nA free and unwalled race possessed her plains
\nWhose hearts uncramped by bonds, whose unspoiled thoughts
\nAt once replied to light. Foisoned the fields;
\nLonely and rich the forests and the swaying
\nOf those unnumbered tops affected men
\nWith thoughts to their vast music kin. Undammed <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nvirgin rivers moved towards the sea,
\nAnd mountains yet unseen and peoples vague <\/p>\n

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

\nWinged
\nyoung imagination like an eagle
\nTo strange beauty remote. And Ruru felt
\nThe sweetness of the early earth as sap
\nAll through him, and short life an aeon made
\nBy <\/i>boundless possibility, and love,
\nSweetest of all unfathomable love,
\nA glory untired. As a bright bird comes flying <\/p>\n

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

\nFrom
\nairy extravagance to his own home,
\nAnd breasts his mate, and feels her all his goal,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-231<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nSo
\nfrom boon sunlight and the fresh chill wave <\/p>\n

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

\nWhich
\nswirled and lapped between the slumbering fields, <\/p>\n

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

\nFrom
\nforest pools and wanderings mid leaves <\/p>\n

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

\nThrough
\nemerald ever-new discoveries,
\nMysterious hillsides ranged and buoyant-swift
\nRaces with our wild brothers in the meads,
\nCame Ruru back to the white-bosomed girl,
\nStrong-winged to pleasure. She all fresh and new
\nRose to him, and he plunged into her charm. <\/p>\n

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

\nFor
\nneither to her honey and poignancy <\/p>\n

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

\nArtlessly
\ninterchanged, nor any limit
\nTo the sweet physical delight of her
\nHe found. Her eyes like deep and infinite wells <\/p>\n

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

\nLured
\nhis attracted soul, and her touch thrilled <\/p>\n

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

\nNot
\nlightly, though so light; the joy prolonged <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nsweetness of the lingering of her lips
\nWas every time a nectar of surprise<\/p>\n

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

\nTo
\nher lover; her smooth-gleaming shoulder bared <\/p>\n

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

\nIn
\ndarkness of her hair showed jasmine-bright, <\/p>\n

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

\nWhile
\nher kissed bosom by rich tumults stirred <\/p>\n

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

\nWas
\na moved sea that rocked beneath his heart, <\/p>\n

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

\nThen
\nwhen her lips had made him blind, soft siege <\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\nall her unseen body to his rule
\nBetrayed the ravishing realm of her white limbs, <\/p>\n

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

\nAn
\nempire for the glory of a God.
\nHe knew not whether he loved most her smile, <\/p>\n

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

\nHer
\ncauseless tears or little angers swift, <\/p>\n

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

\nWhether
\nheld wet against him from the bath <\/p>\n

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

\nAmong
\nher kindred lotuses, her cheeks
\nSoft to his lips and dangerous happy breasts <\/p>\n

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

\nThat
\nvanquished all his strength with their desire, <\/p>\n

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

\nMeeting
\nhis absence with her sudden face,
\nOr when the leaf-hid bird at night complained <\/p>\n

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

\nNear
\ntheir wreathed arbour on the moonlit lake, <\/p>\n

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

\nSobbing
\ndelight ,out from her heart of bliss,
\nOr in his clasp of rapture laughing low
\nOf his close bosom bridal-glad and pleased
\nWith passion and this fiery play of love,
\nOr breaking off like one who thinks of grief, <\/p>\n

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

\nWonderful
\nmelancholy in her eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-232<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\nGrown
\nliquid and with wayward sorrow large. <\/p>\n

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

\nThus
\nhe in her found a warm world of sweets, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nlived of ecstasy secure, nor deemed
\nAny new hour could match. that early bliss.
\nBut Iove has joys for spirits born divine
\nMore bleeding-lovely than his thornless rose.
\nThat day he had left, while yet the east was dark, <\/p>\n

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

\nRising,
\nher bosom and into the river
\nSwan out, exulting in the sting and swift .
\nSharp-edged desire around his limbs, and sprang <\/p>\n

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

\nWet
\nto the bank, and streamed into the wood. <\/p>\n

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

\nAs
\na young horse upon the pastures glad
\nFeels greensward and the wind along his mane
\nAnd arches as he goes his neck, so went
\nIn an immense delight of youth the boy
\nAnd shook his locks, joy-crested. Boundlessly
\nHe revelled in swift air of life, a creature
\nOf wide and vigorous morning. Far he strayed
\nTempting for flower and fruit branches in heaven,
\nAnd plucked, and flung away, and brighter chose,
\nSeeking comparisons for her bloom; and followed
\nNew streams, and touched new trees, and felt slow beauty
\nAnd leafy secret change; for the damp leaves,
\nGrey-green at first, grew pallid with the light
\nAnd warmed with consciousness of sunshine near;
\nThen the whole daylight wandered in, and made <\/p>\n

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

\nHard
\ntracts of splendour, and enriched all hues. <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nwhen a happy sheltered heat he felt <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nheard contented voice of living things
\nHarmonious with the noon, he turned and swiftly
\nWent homeward yearning to Priyumvada,<\/u>
\nAnd near his home emerging from green leaves.
\nHe laughed towards the sun: "O father Sun,\u201d <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\ncried, "how good it is to live, to love. <\/p>\n

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

\nSurely
\nour joy shall never end, nor we
\nGrow old, but like bright rivers or pure winds
\nSweetly continue, or revive with flowers, <\/p>\n

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

\n"Or
\nlive at least as long as senseless trees." <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\ndreamed, and said with a soft smile: "Lo, she!
\nAnd she will turn from me with angry tears<\/p>\n

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

\n Page-233<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nHer
\ndelicate face more beautiful than storm
\nOr rainy moonlight. I will follow her,
\nAnd soothe her heart with sovereign flatteries;
\nOr rather all tyranny exhaust and taste
\nThe beauty of her anger like a fruit,
\nVexing her soul with helplessness; then soften
\nEasily with quiet undenied demand
\nOf heart insisting upon heart; or else
\nWill reinvest her beauty bright with flowers,
\nOr with my hands her little feet persuade.
\nThen will her face be like a sudden dawn,
\nAnd flower compelled into reluctant smiles."
\nHe had not ceased when he beheld her. She,
\nTearing a jasmine bloom with waiting hands,
\nStood drooping, petulant, but heard at once
\nHis footsteps and before she was aware,
\nA sudden smile of exquisite delight
\nLeaped to her mouth, and a great blush of joy <\/p>\n

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

\nSurprised
\nher cheeks. She for a moment stood <\/p>\n

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

\nBeautiful
\nwith her love before she died;
\nAnd he laughed towards her. With a pitiful cry
\nShe paled; moaning, her stricken limbs collapsed.
\nBut petrified, in awful dumb surprise,
\nHe gazed; then waking with a bound was by her,
\nAll panic expectation. As he came,
\nHe saw a brilliant flash of coils evade
\nThe sunlight, and with hateful gorgeous hood
\nDarted into green safety, hissing, death.
\nVoiceless he sank beside her and stretched out
\nHis arms and desperately touched her face,
\nAs if to attract her soul to live, and sought <\/p>\n

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

\nBeseeching
\nwith his hands her bosom. O, she
\nWas warm, and cruel hope pierced him; but pale
\nAs jasmines fading on a girl’s sweet breast
\nHer cheek was, and forgot its perfect rose.
\nHer eyes that clung to sunlight yet, with pain
\nWere large and feebly round his neck her arms
\nShe lifted and, desiring his pale cheek
\nAgainst her bosom, sobbed out piteously,
\n"Ah, Love!" and stopped heart-broken; then, "O Love!
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-234<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAlas
\nthe green dear<\/span>
\nhome <\/span>that
\nI must<\/span>
\nleave
\nSo earl<\/span>y!
\nI was so glad of love and kisses,
\nAnd thought<\/span>
\n<\/span>that
\ncenturies would not exhaust
\nThe d<\/span>eep
\nembrace. And I have had so little <\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\njoy and the<\/span>
\n<\/span>wild
\nday and throbbing night, <\/p>\n

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

\nLaugh<\/span>ter,
\nand<\/span>
\n<\/span>tenderness,
\nand strife and tears. <\/p>\n

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

\nI
\nhave <\/span>
\nnot<\/span>
\n<\/span>numbered
\nhalf the brilliant birds <\/p>\n

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

\nIn
\none <\/span>
\ngreen<\/span>
\n<\/span>forest,
\nnor am familiar grown <\/p>\n

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

\nWith
\n<\/span>
\nsunrise
\nand the progress of the eves,
\nNor have<\/span>
\n<\/span>with
\nplaintive cries of birds made friends, <\/p>\n

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

\nCuckoo
\nand<\/span>
\n<\/span>rainlark
\nand love-speak-to-me.
\n<\/span>
\nI
\nhave not<\/span>
\n<\/span>learned
\nthe names of half the flowers <\/p>\n

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

\nAround
\nme; so few trees know me by my name; <\/p>\n

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

\nNor
\nhave<\/span>
\n<\/span>I
\nseen the stars so very often
\nThat <\/span>
\nI
\nshould die. I feel a dreadful hand
\nDrawing me from the touch of thy warm limbs
\nInto some cold vague mist, and all black night
\nDescends towards me. I no more am thine,
\nBut go I know not where, and see pale shapes <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\ngloomy countries and that terrible stream. <\/p>\n

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

\nO
\nlove, O Love, they take me from thee far,
\nAnd<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nwhether<\/span>
\n<\/span>we
\nshall find each other ever <\/p>\n

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

\nIn
\nthe<\/span>
\n<\/span>wide
\ndreadful territory of death, <\/p>\n

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

\nI
\nknow not. Or thou wilt forget me quite, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\n<\/span>
\nlife
\ncompel thee into other arms.
\n<\/span>
\nAh,
\n<\/span>
\ncome<\/span>
\n<\/span>with
\nme! I cannot bear to wander<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nIn<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nthat<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\ncold
\ncruel country all alone,
\nHelpless and terrified, or sob by streams <\/p>\n

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

\nDenied
\nsweet sunlight and by thee unloved." <\/p>\n

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

\nSlower<\/span>
\n<\/span>her
\nvoice came now, and over her cheek <\/p>\n

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

\nDeath
\npaused; then; sobbing like a little child <\/p>\n

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

\nToo
\nearly<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nfrom
\nher bounding pleasures called, <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nlovely<\/span>
\n<\/span>discontented
\nspirit stole
\n<\/span>
\nFrom
\nher<\/span>
\n<\/span>warm
\nbody white. Over her leaned <\/p>\n

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

\nRuru,<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nand<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nwaited
\nfor dead lips to move.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nStill
\nin the <\/span>
\ngreenwood
\nlay Priyumvada, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nRuru<\/span>
\n<\/span>rose
\nnot from her, but with eyes<\/span>
\nE<\/span>mptied<\/span>
\n<\/span>of
\nglory hung above his dead,
\nO<\/span>nly,<\/span>
\n<\/span>without
\na word, without a tear.
\n<\/span>
\nThen
\nthe<\/span>
\n<\/span>crowned
\nwives of the great forest came,<\/p>\n

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


\n Page-235<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThey
\nwho had fed her from maternal breasts, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\ngrieved over the lovely body cold,
\nAnd bore it from him; nor did he entreat <\/p>\n

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

\nOne
\nlast look nor one kiss, nor yet denied <\/p>\n

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

\nWhat
\nhe had loved so well. They the dead girl <\/p>\n

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

\nInto
\nsome distant greenness bore away.<\/p>\n

But Ruru, while the stillness of the place
\nRemembered her, sat without voice. He heard
\nThrough the great silence that was now his soul,
\nThe forest sounds, a squirrel’s leap through leaves, <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\ncheeping of a bird just overhead,
\nA peacock with his melancholy cry
\nComplaining far away, and tossings dim
\nAnd slight unnoticeable stir of trees.
\nBut all these were to him like distant things
\nAnd he alone in his heart’s void. And yet
\nNo thought he had of her so lately lost,
\nRather far pictures, trivial incidents
\nOf that old life before her delicate face
\nHad lived for him, dumbly distinct like thoughts <\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\nmen that die, kept with long pomps his mind <\/p>\n

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

\nExcluding
\nthe dead girl. So still he was,
\nThe birds flashed by him with their swift small wings, <\/p>\n

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

\nFanning
\nhim. Then he moved, then rigorous <\/p>\n

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

\nMemory
\nthrough all his body shuddering
\nAwoke, and he looked up and knew the place,
\nAnd recognised greenness immutable,
\nAnd saw old trees and the same flowers still bloom. <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\nfelt the bright indifference of earth
\nAnd all the lonely uselessness of pain.
\nThen lifting up the beauty of his brow
\nHe spoke, with sorrow pale: "O grim cold Death! <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nI will not like ordinary men
\nSatiate thee with cries, and falsely woo thee,
\nArid make my grief thy theatre, who lie
\nProstrate beneath thy thunderbolts and make
\nNight witness of their moans, shuddering and crying <\/p>\n

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

\nWhen
\nsudden memories pierce them like swords, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\noften starting up as at a thought<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-236<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\n <\/span>Intolerable,
\npace<\/span>
\n<\/span>a
\nlittle, then
\n<\/span>
\nSink<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\ndown<\/span>
\n<\/span>exhausted
\nby brief agony.
\nO <\/span>
\nsecrecy<\/span>
\n<\/span>terrific,
\ndarkness vast,
\nAt <\/span>
\nwhich
\nwe<\/span>
\n<\/span>shudder!
\nSomewhere, I know not where, <\/p>\n

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

\nSomehow,<\/span>
\n<\/span>I
\nknow not how, I shall confront
\n<\/span>
\nThy
\ngloom, tremendous spirit, and seize with hands <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd<\/span>
\nprove what thou art and what man." He said, <\/p>\n

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

\nA<\/span>nd<\/span>
\n<\/span>slowly
\nto the forests wandered. There
\n<\/span>
\nLong
\nmonths he travelled between grief and grief, <\/p>\n

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

\nReliving
\nthoughts of her with every pace,
\nMeasuring vast pain in his immortal mind.
\nAnd his heart cried in him as when a fire
\nRoars through wide forests and the branches cry <\/p>\n

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

\nBurning
\ntowards heaven in torture glorious.
\nSo burned, immense, his grief within him; he raised <\/p>\n

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

\nHis
\nyoung pure face all solemnised with pain,
\nVoiceless. Then Fate was shaken, and the Gods
\nGrieved for him, of his silence grown afraid.
\nTherefore from peaks divine came flashing down <\/p>\n

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

\nImmortal
\nAgni and to the Uswuttha-tree, <\/u><\/p>\n

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

\nCried<\/span>
\n<\/span>in
\nthe Voice that slays the world: "O tree <\/p>\n

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

\nThat
\nliftest thy enormous branches able <\/p>\n

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

\nTo
\n<\/i>shelter armies, more than armies now <\/p>\n

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

\nShelter,
\nbe famous, house a brilliant God.
\nFor the grief grows in Ruru’s breast up-piled,
\n<\/span>
\nAs<\/span>
\nwrestles with its anguished barricades <\/p>\n

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

\nIn
\nsilence an impending flood, and Gods<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nImmortal
\ngrow afraid. For earth alarmed <\/p>\n

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

\nShudders
\nto bear the curse lest her young life
\nPale with eclipse and all-creating love
\nBe to mere pain condemned. Divert the wrath
\nInto thy boughs, Uswuttha – thou shalt be
\nMy throne – glorious, though in eternal pangs, <\/p>\n

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

\nYet
\nworth muth pain to harbour divine fire."
\nSo ended the young pure destroyer’s voice,
\nAnd the<\/span>
\n<\/span>dumb
\ngod consented silently.
\n<\/span>
\nIn
\nthe same<\/span>
\n<\/span>noon
\ncame Ruru; his mind had paused, <\/p>\n

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

\nLured
\nfor a moment by soft wandering, gleams
\nInto forgetfulness of grief; for thoughts
\nGentle and near-eyed whispering memories
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-237<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nSo
\nsweetly came, his blind heart dreamed she lived. <\/p>\n

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

\nSlow
\nthe Uswuttha-tree bent down its leaves, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nsmote his cheek, and touched his heavy hair. <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nRuru turned illumined. For a moment,<\/span>
\n<\/span>One
\nblissful moment he had felt ’twas she.
\nSo had she often stolen up and touched
\nHis curls with her enamoured fingers small, <\/p>\n

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

\nLingering,
\nwhile the wind smote him with her hair <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nher quick breath came to him like spring. Then he, <\/p>\n

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

\nTurning,
\nas one surprised with heaven, saw
\nReady to his swift passionate grasp her bosom
\nAnd body sweet expecting his embrace.
\nOh, now saw her not, but the guilty tree
\nShrinking; then grief back with a double crown <\/p>\n

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

\nArose
\nand stained his face with agony.
\nNor silence he endured, but the dumb force
\nAscetic and inherited, by sires
\nFierce-musing earned, from the boy’s bosom blazed. <\/p>\n

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

\n"O
\nUswuttha-tree, wantonly who hast mocked
\nMy anguish with the wind, but thou no more
\nHave joy of the cool wind nor green delight,
\nBut live thy guilty leaves in fire, so long
\nAs Aryan wheels by thy doomed shadow vast <\/p>\n

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

\nThunder
\nto war, nor bless with cool wide waves <\/p>\n

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

Lyric
\nSaruswathi nations impure."
\n<\/span>He
\nspoke, and the vast tree groaned through its leaves, <\/p>\n

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

\nRecognising
\nits fate; then smouldered; lines
\nOf living fire rushed up the girth and hissed <\/p>\n

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

\nSerpentine
\nin the unconsuming leaves;
\nLast, all Hutashan in his chariot armed
\nSprang on the boughs and blazed into the sky,
\nAnd wailing all the great tormented creature
\nStood wide in agony; one half was green
\nAnd earthly, the other a weird brilliance
\nFilled with the speed and cry of endless flame.
\nBut he, with the fierce rushing-out of power
\nShaken and that strong grasp of anguish, flung
\nHis hands out to the sun; \u201cPriyumvada!"<\/span>
\n<\/span>He
\ncried, and at that well-loved sound there dawned <\/p>\n

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

\nWith
\noverwhelming sweetness miserable<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-238<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nUpon
\nhis mind the old delightful times<\/p>\n

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

\nWhen
\nhe had called her by her liquid name,
\nWhere the voice loved to linger. He remembered <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nchompuc bushes where she turned away <\/p>\n

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

\nHalf-angered,
\nand his speaking of her name <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nMasterfully<\/span>
\n<\/span>as
\nto a lovely slave
\nRebel<\/span>lious
\nwho has erred; at that the slow
\nYielding of her small head, and after a little <\/p>\n

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

\nHer
\nsliding towards him and beautiful <\/p>\n

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

\nPropitiating
\nbody as she sank down
\nWith timid graspings deprecatingly
\nIn prostrate warm surrender, her flushed cheeks <\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nUpon
\n<\/span>his
\nfeet and little touches soft;
\n<\/span>
\nOr
\nher long name uttered beseechingly,
\nAnd the swift leap of all her body to him,
\nAnd eyes of large repentance, and the weight <\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\nher wild<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nbosom
\nand lips unsatisfied;
\nOf hourly call for little trivial needs,
\n<\/span>
\nOf
\nsweet<\/span>
\n<\/span>unneeded
\nwanton summoning,
\n<\/span>
\nDail<\/span>y<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nappeal
\nthat never staled nor lost
\nIts sudden<\/span>
\n<\/span>music,
\nand her lovely speed,<\/p>\n

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

\nSedulous
\noccupation left, quick-breathing, <\/p>\n

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

\nWith
\ngreat<\/span>
\n<\/span>glad
\neyes and eager parted lips; <\/p>\n

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

\nOr
\nin deep<\/span>
\n<\/span>quiet
\nmoments murmuring <\/p>\n

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

\nThat
\nname<\/span>
\n<\/span>like
\na religion in her ear,
\n<\/span>
\nAn<\/span>d
\nher calm look compelled to ecstasy;
\nOr to the<\/span>
\n<\/span>river
\nluring her, or breathed
\n<\/span>
\nOver
\nher<\/span>
\n<\/span>dainty
\nslumber, or secret sweet <\/p>\n

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

\nBridal<\/span>
\n<\/span>outpantings
\nof her broken name. <\/p>\n

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

\nAll
\n<\/span>
\nthese<\/span>
\n<\/span>as
\nrush unintermitting waves
\n<\/span>
\nUpon
\na swimmer overborne, broke on him <\/p>\n

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

\nReIentless,<\/span>
\n<\/span>things
\ntoo happy to be endured, <\/p>\n

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

\nTill
\nfaint with the recalled felicity<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nLo<\/span>w
\nhe<\/span>
\n<\/span>moaned
\nout: "O pale Priyumvada!
\n<\/span>
\nO
\n<\/span>
\ndead<\/span>
\n<\/span>fair
\nflower! yet living to my grief!
\n<\/span>
\nBut
\nI could only slay the innocent tree,
\nPowerless when power should have been. Not such <\/p>\n

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

\nWas
\nBhrigu<\/span>
\n<\/span>from
\nwhose sacred strength I spring, <\/p>\n

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

\nN<\/span>or
\nBhrtgu’s<\/u><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/u>son,
\nmy father, when he blazed
\n<\/span>
\nOut
\nfrom<\/span>
\nPuloma’s side, and burning, blind,<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-239<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nFell
\nlike a tree, the ravisher unjust.
\nBut I degenerate from such sires. O Death <\/p>\n

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

\nThat
\nshowest not thy face beneath the stars, <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\ncomest masked, and on our dear ones seizing <\/p>\n

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

\nFearest
\nto wrestle equally with love!
\nNor from thy gloomy house any come back
\nTo tell thy way. But O, if any strength
\nIn lover’s constancy to torture dwell
\nEarthward to force a helping god and such <\/p>\n

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

\nAscetic
\nforce be born of lover’s pain,
\nLet my dumb pangs be heard. Whoe’er thou art, <\/p>\n

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

\nO
\nthou bright enemy of Death descend
\nAnd lead me to that portal dim. For I
\nHave burned in fires cruel as the fire
\nAnd lain upon a sharper couch than swords." <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\nceased, and heaven thrilled, and the far blue <\/p>\n

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

\nQuivered
\nas with invisible downward wings.<\/p>\n

But Ruru passioned on, and came with eve
\nTo secret grass and a green opening moist
\nIn a cool lustre. Leaned upon a tree
\nThat bathed in faery air and saw the sky
\nThrough bra:nches and a single parrot loud <\/p>\n

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

\nScreamed
\nfrom its top, there stood a golden boy, <\/p>\n

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

\nHalf-naked,
\nwith bright limbs all beautiful- <\/p>\n

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

\nDelicate
\nthey were, in sweetness absolute:
\nFor every gleam and every soft strong curve <\/p>\n

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

\nMagically
\ncompelled the eye, and smote
\nThe heart to weakness. In his hands he swung
\nA bow – not such as human archers use:
\nFor the string moved and murmured like many bees, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nnameless fragrance made the casual air
\nA peril. He on Ruru that fair face
\nTurned, and his steps with lovely gesture chained. <\/p>\n

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

\n"Who
\nart thou here, in forests wandering,
\nAnd thy young exquisite face is solemnised
\nWith pain? Luxuriously the Gods have tortured <\/p>\n

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

\nThy
\nheart to see such dreadful glorious beauty <\/p>\n

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

\nAgonize
\nin thy lips and brilliant eyes:
\nAs tyrants in the fierceness of others’ pangs<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-240<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nJoy and
\nfeel strong, clothing with brilliant fire,
\nTyrants in Tittn lands. Needs must her mouth
\nHave been pure honey and her bosom a charm,
\nWhom thou desirest seeing not the green
\nAnd common lovely sounds hast quite forgot."
\nAnd Ruru, mastered by the God, replied:
\n\u201cI know thee by thy cruel beauty bright,
\nKama, who makest many worlds one fire.
\nAh, wherefore wilt thou ask of her to increase
\nThe passion and regret? Thou knowest, great love! <\/p>\n

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

\nThy
\nnymph her mother, if thou truly art he
\nAnd not a dream of my disastrous soul."
\nBut with the thrilled eternal smile that makes
\nThe spring, the lover of Rathi golden-limbed
\nReplied to .Ruru, "Mortal, I am he;
\nI am that Madan who inform the stars
\nWith lustre and on life’s wide canvas fill
\nPictures of light and shade, of joy and tears,
\nMake ordinary moments wonderful
\nAnd common speech a charm: knit life to life <\/p>\n

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

\nWith
\ninterfusions of opposing souls
\nAnd sudden meetings and slow sorceries:
\nWing the boy bridegroom to that panting breast, <\/p>\n

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

\nSmite
\nGods with mortal faces, dreadfully <\/p>\n

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

\nAmong
\ngreat beautiful kings and watched by eyes <\/p>\n

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

\nThat
\nburn, force on the virgin’s fainting limbs
\nAnd drive her to the one face never seen,
\nThe one breast meant eternally for her.
\nBy me come wedded sweets, by me the wife’s <\/p>\n

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

\nBusy
\ndelight and passionate obedience,
\nAnd loving eager service never sated,
\nAnd happy lips, and worshipping soft eyes: <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nmine the husband’s hungry arms and use
\nUnwearying of old tender words and ways.
\nJoy of her hair, and silent pleasur felt
\nOf nearness to one dear familiar shape. I
\nNor only these, but many affections bright <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nsoft glad things cluster around my name. <\/p>\n

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

\nI
\nplant fraternal tender yearnings, make
\nThe sister’s sweet attractiveness and leap<\/p>\n

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

\n
\nPage-241<\/p>\n

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

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

\nOf
\nheart towards imperious kindred blood, <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nthe young mother’s passionate deep look, <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nEarth’s
\nhigh similitude of One not earth,
\nTeach filial heart-beats strong. These are my gifts <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nFor
\nwhich men praise me, these my glories calm: <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nfiercer shafts I can, wild storms blown down <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nShaking
\nfixed minds and melting marble natures, <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nTears
\nand dumb bitterness and pain unpitied,
\nRacked thirsting jealousy and kind hearts made stone: <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nin undisciplined huge souls I sow
\nDire vengeance and impossible cruelties,
\nCold lusts that linger and fierce fickleness,
\nThe loves close kin to hate, brute violence
\nAnd mad insatiable longings pale,
\nAnd passion blind as death and deaf as swords.
\nO mortal, all deep-souled desires and all
\nYearnings immense are mine, so much I can."
\nSo as he spoke, his face grew wonderful
\nWith vast suggestion, his human-seeming limbs <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nBrightened
\nwith a soft splendour: luminous hints <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nOf
\nthe concealed divinity transpired.
\nBut soon with a slight discontented frown:
\n"So much I can, as even the great Gods learn. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nOnly
\nwith death I wrestle in vain, until
\nMy passionate godhead all becomes a doubt. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nMortal,
\nI am the light in stars, of flowers
\nThe bloom, the nameless fragrance that pervades <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nCreation:
\nbut behind me, older than me,
\nHe comes with night and cold tremendous shade. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nHard
\nis the way to him, most hard to find,
\nHarder to tread, for perishable feet
\nAlmost impossible. Yet, O fair youth,
\nIf thou must needs go down, and thou art strong <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nIn
\npassion and in constancy, nor easy
\nThe soul to slay that has survived such grief – <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nSteel
\nthen thyself to venture, armed by Love.
\nYet listen first what heavy trade they drive
\nWho would win back their dead to human arms." <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nSo
\nmuch the God; but swift, with eager eyes
\nAnd panting bosom and glorious flushed face,<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n
\n
\n <\/font><\/span>Page-242<\/span><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThe
\nlover: "O great Love! O beautiful Love! <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nif by strength is possible, of body <\/p>\n

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

\nOr
\nmind, battle of spirit of moving speech, <\/p>\n

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

\nSweet
\nspeech that makes even cruelty grow kind, <\/p>\n

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

\nOr
\nyearning melody – for I have heard
\nThat when Saruswathi in heaven her harp
\nHas smitten, the cruel sweetness terrible
\nCoils taking no denial through the soul,
\nAnd tears burst from the hearts of Gods – then I,
\nMaking great music, or with perfect words,
\nWill strive, or staying him with desperate hands
\nMatch human strength ‘gainst formidable Death.
\nBut if with price, ah God! what easier! Tears
\nDreadful, innumerable I will absolve,
\nOr pay with anguish through the centuries,
\nSoul’s agony and torture physical, <\/p>\n

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

\nSo
\nher small hands about my face at last  <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nI
\nfeel, close real hair sting me with life, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\npalpable breathing bosom on me press." <\/p>\n

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

\nThen
\nwith a lenient smile the mighty God:
\n\u201dO ignorant fond lover, not with tears <\/p>\n

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

\nShalt
\nthou persuade immitigable Death.
\nHe will not pity all thy pangs: nor know
\nHis stony eyes with music to grow kind,
\nNor lovely words accepts. And how wilt thou <\/p>\n

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

\nWrest1e
\nwith that grim shadow, who canst not save  <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nOne
\nbloom from fading? A sole thing the Gods <\/p>\n

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

\nDemand
\nfrom all men living, sacrifice:
\nNor without this shall any crown be grasped.
\nYet many sacrifices are there, oxen,<\/span>
\nAnd prayers, and Soma wine, and pious flowers,
\nBlood and the fierce expense of mind, and pure <\/p>\n

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

\nIncense<\/span>
\n<\/span>of
\nperfect actions, perfect thoughts,
\nOr<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nliberality
\nwide as the sun’s,<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nOr<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nruthless
\nlabour or disastrous tears,
\nExile or death or pain more hard than death,
\nAbsence, a desert, from the faces loved; <\/p>\n

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

\nEven
\nsin may be a sumptuous sacrifice  <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nAcceptable
\nfor unholy fruits. But none <\/p>\n

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

\nOf<\/span>
\n<\/span>these<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nthe<\/span>
\n<\/span>inexorable
\nshadow asks:<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-243<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAlone
\nof <\/i>gods Death loves not gifts: he visits<\/span>
\n<\/span>The
\npure heart as the stained. Lo, the just man <\/p>\n

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

\nBowed
\nhelpless over his dead, nor all his virtues
\nShall quicken that cold bosom: near him the wild <\/p>\n

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

\nMarred
\nface and passionate and will not leave <\/p>\n

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

\nKissing
\ndead lips that shall not chide him more. <\/p>\n

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

\nLife
\nthe pale ghost requires: with half thy life <\/p>\n

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

\nThou
\nmayst protract the thread too early cut
\nOf that delightful spirit,- half sweet life. <\/p>\n

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

\nO
\nRuru, lo, thy frail precarious days,
\nAnd yet how sweet they are! simply to breathe <\/p>\n

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

\nHow
\nwarm and sweet! And ordinary things
\nHow exquisite, thou then shalt learn when lost, <\/p>\n

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

\nHow
\nluminous the daylight was, mere sleep
\nHow soft and friendly clasping tired limbs,
\nAnd the deliciousness of <\/i>common food.
\nAnd things indifferent thou then shalt want, <\/p>\n

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

\nRegret
\nrejected beauty, brightnesses
\nBestowed in vain. Wilt thou yield up, O lover, <\/p>\n

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

\nHalf
\nthy sweet portion of this light and gladness, <\/p>\n

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

\nThy
\nlittle insufficient share, and vainly
\nGive to another? She is not thyself:
\n<\/span>
\nThou
\ndost not feel the gladness in her bosom, <\/p>\n

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

\nNor
\nwith the torture of <\/i>thy body will she
\nThrob and cry out: at most with tender looks <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\npitiful attempt to feel move near thee,
\nAnd weep how far she is from what she loves. <\/p>\n

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

\nMen
\nlive like stars ‘that see each other in heaven, <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\none knows not the pleasure and the grief <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nothers feel: he lonely rapture has,
\nOr bears his incommunicable pain.
\nO Ruru, there are many beautiful faces,
\nBut one thyself. Think then how thou shalt mourn <\/p>\n

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

\nWhen
\nthou hast shortened joy aifd feelst at last <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nshadow that thou hadst for such sweet store." <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\nceased with a strange d6ubtfullobk. But swift <\/p>\n

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

\nCame
\nback the lover’s voice, like passionate rain. <\/p>\n

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

\n"O
\nidle words! For what is mere sunlight?
\nWho would live on into extreme old age,
\nBurden the impatient world, a weary old man,<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-244<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAnd
\n<\/span>
\nlook
\nback<\/span>
\n<\/span>on a
\nselfish time ill-spent <\/p>\n

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

\nExacting<\/span>
\n<\/span>out
\nof prodigal great life
\n<\/span>
\nSmall
\nseparate pleasures like an usurer, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd<\/span>
\n<\/span>no
\nrich sacrifice and no large act<\/span>
\nFinding oneself in others, nor the sweet
\nExpense of Nature in her passionate gusts
\nOf love and giving, first of the soul’s needs?
\nWho is so coldly wise, and does not feel
\nHow wasted were our grandiose human days
\n<\/span>
\nIn<\/span>
\n<\/span>prudent
\npersonal unshared delights?
\n<\/span>
\nWhy
\ndost thou mock me, friend of all the stars? <\/p>\n

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

\nHow
\ncanst thou be love’s god and know not this,
\n<\/span>
\nT<\/span>hat
\nlove burns down the body’s barriers cold <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nlaughs
\nat difference<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n–<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nplaying
\n‘with it merely <\/p>\n

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

\nTo
\n<\/i>make joy sweeter? O too deeply I know,
\nThe lover is not different from the loved,
\nNor is their silence dumb to each other. He <\/p>\n

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

\nContains
\nher heart and feels her body in his,
\nHe flushes with her heat, chills with her cold.
\nAnd when she dies, oh! when she dies, oh me, <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nemptiness, the maim! the life no life,
\nThe sweet and passionate oneness lost! And if <\/p>\n

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

\nBy<\/span>
\n<\/span>shortening
\nof great grief won back, O price <\/p>\n

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

\nEasy!
\nO glad briefness, aeons may envy!
\nFor we shall live not fearing death, nor feel
\nAs others yearning over the loved at night
\nWhen<\/span>
\n<\/span>the
\nlamp flickers, sudden chills of dread <\/p>\n

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

\nTerrible;
\nnor at short absence agonise,
\nWrestling with mad imagination. Us
\nSerenely when the darkening shadow comes,
\nOne common sob shall end and soul clasp soul, <\/p>\n

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

\nLeaving
\nthe body in a long dim kiss.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n.
\n<\/span>Then
\nin the joys of heaven we shall consort, <\/p>\n

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

\nAmid
\nthe gladness often touching hands
\nTo make bliss sure; or in the ghastly stream
\nIf we must anguish, yet it shall not part
\nOur passionate limbs inextricably locked
\nBy one strong agony, but we shall feel
\nHell’s pain half joy through sweet companionship. <\/p>\n

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

\nGod<\/span>
\nLove, I weary of words. O wing me rather<\/p>\n

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


\n Page-245<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n

\nT<\/b>o
\nher, my eloquent princess of the spring,
\nIn whatsoever wintry shores she roam."
\nHe ceased with eager forward eyes; once more
\nA light of beauty immortal through the limbs <\/p>\n

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

\nGleaming
\nof the boy-god and soft sweet face, <\/p>\n

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

\nGlorifying
\nhim, flushed, and he replied:
\n"Go then, O thou dear youth, and bear this flower
\nIn thy hand warily. For thou shalt come
\nTo that high meeting of the Ganges pure
\nWith vague and violent Ocean. There arise
\nAnd loudly appeal my brother, the wild sea."
\nHe spoke and stretched out his immortal hand,
\nAnd Ruru\u2019s met it. All his young limbs yearned
\nWith dreadful rapture shuddering through them. He <\/p>\n

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

\nFelt
\nin his fingers subtle uncertain bloom,
\nA quivering magnificence, half fire,<\/span>
\n<\/span>Whose
\npetals changed like flame, and from them breathed <\/p>\n

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

\nDangerous
\nattraction and alarmed delight,
\nAs at a peril near. He raised his eyes,
\nBut the green place was empty of the God.
\nOnly the faery tree looked up at heaven
\nThrough branches, and with recent pleasure shook. <\/p>\n

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

\nThen
\nover fading earth the night was lord.<\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nfrom Shatudru and<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\nBipasha,<\/span>
\nstreams
\n<\/span>Once
\nholy, and loved Iravathi and swift
\nClear Chandrabhaga and Bitosta’s toil
\nFor man, went Ruru to bright sumptuous lands
\nBy Aryan fathers not yet paced, but wild,
\nBut virgin to our fruitful human toil,
\nWhere nature lay reclined in dumb delight
\nAlone with woodlands and the voiceless hills.
\nHe with the widening yellow Ganges came,
\nAmazed, to trackless countries where few tribes, <\/p>\n

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

\nKirath
\nand Poundrian, warred, worshipping trees <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nthe great serpent. But robust wild earth,
\nBut forests with their splendid life of beasts
\nSavage mastered hose strong inhabitants.
\nThither came Ruru. In a thin soft eve
\nGanges spread far her multitudinous waves,<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-246<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nA
\ng<\/span>limmering
\nrestlessness with voices large, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nfrom the forests of that half-seen bank<\/span>
\nA <\/span>
\nboat
\ncame heaving over it, white-winged,
\nWith a sole silent helmsman marble-pale.<\/p>\n

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

\nThen
\nRuru by his side stepped in; they went <\/p>\n

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

\nDown
\nthe mysterious river and beheld
\nThe great banks widen out of sight. The world
\nWas water and the skies to water plunged.
\n<\/span>
\nAll<\/span>
\n<\/span>night
\nwith a dim motion gliding down
\n<\/span>
\nHe<\/span>
\n<\/span>felt
\nthe dark against his eyelids; felt,
\n<\/span>
\nAs
\nin a dream more real than daylight,
\nThe helmsman with his dumb and marble face
\nNear him and moving wideness all around,
\nAnd that continual gliding dimly on,
\nAs one who on a shoreless water sails
\nFor<\/span>
\n<\/span>ever
\nto a port he shall not win.
\nBu<\/span>t
\nwhen the darkness paled, he heard a moan
\nOf mightier waves and had the wide great sense
\nOf Ocean<\/span>
\n<\/span>and
\nthe depths below our feet.
\n<\/span>
\nBut
\nthe boat stopped; the pilot lifted on him
\nHis marble gaze coeval with the stars.
\n<\/span>
\nTh<\/span>en
\nin the white-winged boat the boy arose <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nsaw around him the vast sea all grey <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nheaving in the pallid dawning light. <\/p>\n

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

\nLoud
\nRuru cried across the murmur: "Hear me, <\/p>\n

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

\nO
\ninarticulate grey Ocean, hear.
\nIf any cadence in thy infinite <\/p>\n

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

\nRumour
\nwas caught from lover’s moan, O Sea, <\/p>\n

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

\nOpen
\nthy abysses to my mortal tread. <\/p>\n

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

\nF<\/span>or
\nI would travel to the despairing shades,
\nThe spheres of suffering where entangled dwell
\nSouls unreleased and the untimely dead
\nWho weep remembering. Thither, O guide me, <\/p>\n

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

\nNo
\ndespicable wayfarer, but Ruru,
\nBut son of a great Rishi, from all men <\/p>\n

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

\nOn
\nearth selected for peculiar pangs, <\/p>\n

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

\nSpecial
\ndisaster. Lo, this petalled fire, <\/p>\n

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

\nHow
\nfreshly it blooms and lasts with my great pain!" <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\nheld the flower out subtly glimmering. <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nlike a living thing the huge sea trembled,<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-247<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nThen
\nrose, calling, and filled the sight with waves, <\/p>\n

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

\nConverging
\nall its giant crests; towards him <\/p>\n

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

\nInnumerable
\nwaters loomed and heaven <\/p>\n

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

\nThreatened.
\nHorizon on horizon moved <\/p>\n

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

\nDreadfully
\nswift; then with a prone wide sound <\/p>\n

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

\nAll
\nOcean hollowing drew him swiftly in, <\/p>\n

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

\nCurving
\nwith monstrous menace over him.
\nHe down the gulf where the loud waves collapsed <\/p>\n

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

\nDescending,
\nsaw with floating hair arise
\nThe daughters of the sea in pale green light,
\nA million mystic breasts suddenly bare,
\nAnd came beneath the flood and stunned beheld <\/p>\n

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

\nA
\nmute stupendous march of waters race
\nTo reach some viewless pit beneath the world.
\nGanges he saw, as men predestined rush
\nUpon a fearful doom foreseen, so ran,
\nAlarmed, with anguished speed, the river vast. <\/p>\n

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

\nVeiled
\nto his eyes the triple goddess rose.
\nShe with a sound of waters cried to him,
\nA thousand voices moaning with one pain: <\/p>\n

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

\n"Lover,
\nwho fearedst not sunlight to leave,
\nWith me thou mayst behold that helpless spirit <\/p>\n

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

\nLost
\nin the gloom, if still thy burning bosom <\/p>\n

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

\nHave
\ncourage to endure great Nature’s night
\nIn the dire lands where I, a goddess, mourn <\/p>\n

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

\nHurting
\nmy heart with my own cruelty."
\nShe darkened to the ominous descent,
\nUnwilling, and her once so human waves
\nSent forth a cry not meant for living ears.
\nAnd Ruru chilled; but terrible strong love
\nWas like a fiery finger in his breast
\nPointing him on; so he through horror went <\/p>\n

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

\nConducted
\nby inexorable sound.
\nFor monstrous voices to his ear were close,
\nAnd bodiless terrors with their dimness seized him <\/p>\n

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

\nIn
\nan obscurity phantasmal. Thus
\nWith agony of soul to the grey waste
\nHe came, glad of the pain of passage over,
\nAs men who through the storms of anguish strive <\/p>\n

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

\nInto
\nabiding tranquil dreariness<\/p>\n

<\/span> \n<\/p>\n

\n Page-248<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAnd
\ndraw<\/span>
\nsad breath assured; to the grey waste,
\nHopel<\/span>ess
\nPatala, the immutable
\nCountry,<\/span>
\n<\/span>where
\nneither sun nor rain arrives,
\n<\/span>
\nNor
\nhappy<\/span>
\n<\/span>labour
\nof the human plough<\/p>\n

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

\nFruitfully<\/span>
\n<\/span>turns
\nthe soil, but in vague sands <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\n<\/span>
\nindeterminable
\nstrange rocks and caverns
\nThat into silent blackness huge recede,
\nDwell the great serpent and his hosts, writhed forms, <\/p>\n

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

\nSinuous,<\/span>
\nabhorred; through many horrible leagues
\n<\/span>
\nCoilin<\/span>g
\nin a half darkness. Shapes he saw, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nheard the hiss and knew the lambent light <\/p>\n

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

\nLoathsome,<\/span>
\n<\/span>but
\npassed compelling his strong soul.
\nAt las<\/span>t
\nthrough those six tired hopeless worlds,
\nTo hopeless far for grief, pale he arrived
\nInto a <\/span>
\nnether
\nair by anguish moved,<\/span>
\nAnd h<\/span>eard<\/span>
\n<\/span>before
\nhim cries that pierced the heart,
\nHuma<\/span>n,
\nnot to be borne, and issued shaken
\nBy the great river accursed. Maddened it ran,
\nAnguished, importunate, and in its waves
\nThe drifting ghosts their agony endured.
\nThere Ruru<\/span>
\n<\/span>saw
\npale faces float of kings<\/span>
\nAnd <\/span>
\ngandiose
\nvictors and revered high priests <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nfamous women. Now rose from the wave <\/p>\n

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

\nA
\ngolden shuddering arm and now a face.
\nTorn piteous sides were seen and breasts that quailed. <\/p>\n

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

\nOver
\nthem moaned the penal waters on;
\nAnd had no joy of their fierce cruelty.
\nThen Ruru, his young cheeks with pity wan,
\nHalf moaned: "O miserable race of men,
\nWith violent and passionate souls you come
\nForedoomed upon the earth and live brief days
\nIn fear and anguish, catching at stray beams
\nOf sunlight, little fragrances of flowers;
\nThen from your spacious earth in a great horror
\nDescend into this night, and here too soon
\nMust expiate your few inadequate joys.
\nO bargain hard! Death helps us not. He leads
\nAlarmed, all shivering fr6m his chill embrace,
\nThe naked spirit here. Oh my sweet flower,
\nArt thou too whelmed in this fierce wailing flood?<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-249<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAh
\nme! But I will haste and deeply plunge
\nInto its hopeless pools and either bring
\nThy old warm beauty back beneath the stars,
\nOr find thee out and clasp thy tortured bosom
\nAnd kiss thy sweet wrung lips and hush thy cries. <\/p>\n

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

\nLove
\nshall draw half thy pain into my limbs;
\nThen we shall triumph glad of agony."
\nHe ceased and one replied close by his ear:
\n"O thou who troublest with thy living eyes <\/p>\n

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

\nEstablished
\ndeath, pass on. She whom thou seekest <\/p>\n

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

\nRolls
\nnot in the accursed tide. For late
\nI saw her mid those pale inhabitants
\nWhom bodily anguish visits not, but thoughts <\/p>\n

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

\nSorrowful
\nand dumb memories absolve,
\nAnd martyrdom of scourged hearts quivering."
\nHe turned and saw astride the dolorous flood
\nA mighty bridge paved with mosaic fire,
\nAll restless, and a woman clothed in flame,
\nWith hands calamitous that held a sword,
\nStood of the quaking passage sentinel.
\nMagnificent and dire her burning face.
\n"Pass on," she said once more, "O Bhrigu’s son;
\nThe flower protects thee from my hands’." She stretched <\/p>\n

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

\nOne
\narm towards him and with violence
\nMajestic over the horrid arch compelled.
\nUnhurt, though shaking from her touch, alone
\nHe stood upon an inner bank with strange
\nBlack dreary mosses covered and perceived
\nA dim and level plain without one flower.
\nOver it paced a multitude immense
\nWith gentle faces occupied by pain;
\nStrong men were there and grieving mothers, girls <\/p>\n

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

\nWith
\nearly beauty in their limbs and young
\nSad children of their childlike faces robbed.
\nNaked they paced with falling hair and gaze <\/p>\n

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

\nDrooping
\nupon their bosoms, weak as flowers
\nThat die for want of rain unmurmuring.
\nAlways a silence was upon the place:
\nBut Ruru came among them. Suddenly.
\nOne felt him there and looked, and as a wind<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-250<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nMoves
\nover a still field of patient corn,
\nAnd the ears stir and shudder and look up
\nAnd bend innumerably flowing, so
\nAll those dumb spirits stirred and through them passed
\nOne shuddering motion of raised faces; then
\nThey streamed towards him without sound and caught
\nWith desperate hands his robe or touched his hair <\/p>\n

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

\nOr
\nstrove to feel upon them living breath.
\nPale girls and quiet children came and knelt
\nAnd with large sorrowful eyes into his looked. <\/p>\n

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

\nYet
\nwith their silent passion the cold hush
\nMoved not; but Ruru’s human heart half burst
\nWith burden of so many sorrows; tears
\nWelled from him; he with anguish lJnderstood
\nThat terrible and wordless sympathy
\nOf dead souls for the living. Then he turned
\nHis eyes and scanned their lovely faces strange <\/p>\n

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

\nFor
\nthat one face and found it not. He paled,
\nAnd spoke vain words into the listless air:
\n\u201cO spirits once joyous, miserable race,
\nHappier if the old gladness were forgot!
\nMy soul yearns with your sorrow. Yet ah! reveal
\nIf dwell my love in your sad nation lost. <\/p>\n

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

\nWell
\nmay you know her, O wan beautiful spirits!
\nBut she most beautiful of all that died,
\nBy sweetness recognisable. Her name <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nsunshine knew." Speaking his tears made way: <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nthey wIth dumb lips only looked at him, <\/p>\n

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

\nA
\nvague and empty mourning in their eyes. <\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\nmurmured low: "Ah, folly! were she here,
\nWould she not first have felt me, first have raised
\nHer lids and run to me, leaned back her face
\nOf silent sorrow on my breast and looked
\nWith the old altered eyes into my own
\nAnd striven to make my anguish understand?
\nOh joy, had she been here! for though her lips
\nOf their old excellent music quite were robbed,<\/p>\n

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

\nyet
\nher dumb passion would have spoken. to me;<\/p>\n

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

\nWe
\nshould have understood each other and walked <\/p>\n

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

\nSilently
\nhand in hand, almost content."
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage-251<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nHe
\nsaid and passed through those untimely dead. <\/p>\n

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

\nSpeechless
\nthey followed him with clinging eyes. <\/p>\n

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

\nThen
\nto a solemn building weird he came
\nWith grave colossal pillars round. One dome <\/p>\n

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

\nRoofed
\nthe whole brooding edifice, like cloud, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nat the door strange shapes were pacing, armed. <\/p>\n

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

\nThen
\nfrom their fear the sweet and mournful dead <\/p>\n

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

\nDrew
\nback, returning to their wordless grief.
\nBut Ruru to the perilous doorway strode,
\nAnd those disastrous shapes upon him raised
\nTheir bows and aimed; but he held out Love’s flower, <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nwith stern faces checked they let him pass.
\nHe entered and beheld a silent hall
\nDim and unbounded; moving then like one
\nWho up a dismal stair seeks ever light,
\nAttained a dais brilliant doubtfully
\nWith flaming pediment and round it coiled
\nPython and Naga monstrous, Joruthtaru,<\/u>
\nTuxuc and Vasuk:i himself, immense, <\/p>\n

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

\nMagic
\nCarcotaca all flecked with fire;
\nAnd many other prone destroying shapes
\nCoiled. On the wondrous dais rose a throne,
\nAnd he its pedestal whose lotus hood
\nWith ominous beauty crowns his horrible
\nSleek folds, great Mahapudma; high displayed
\nHe bears the throne of Death. There sat supreme <\/p>\n

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

\nWith
\nthose compassionate and lethal eyes,
\nWho many names, who many natures holds;
\nYama, the strong pure Hades sad and subtle,
\nDharma, who keeps the laws of old untouched,
\nCritanta, who ends all things and at last <\/p>\n

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

\nHimself
\nshall end. On either side of him <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nfour-eyed dogs mysterious rested prone, <\/p>\n

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

\nWatchful,
\nwith huge heads on their paws advanced; <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nemanations of the godhead dim
\nMoved near him, shadowy or serpentine,
\nVast Time and cold irreparable Death.
\nThen Ruru came and bowed before the throne;
\nAnd swaying all those figures stirred as shapes
\nUpon a tapestry moved by the wind,<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-252<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nAnd
\nthe sad voice was heard: "What breathing man 
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nBows
\nat the throne of Hades? By what force, <\/p>\n

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

\nSpiritual
\nor communicated, troubles
\nHis living beauty the dead grace of Hell?"
\nAnd <\/i>one replied who seemed a neighbouring voice: <\/p>\n

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

\n\u201cHe
\nhas the blood of Gods and Titans old.
\nAn Apsara his mother liquid-orbed  <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nBore
\nto the youthful Chyavan’s strong embrace  <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nThis
\npassionate face of earth with Eden touched.
\nChyavan was Bhngu’s child, Puloma bore,
\nThe Titaness, – Bhrigu, great Brahma’s <\/u>son. <\/p>\n

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

\nLove
\ngave the flower that help by anguish; therefore :<\/p>\n

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

\nHe
\nchilled not with the breath of Hades nor  <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\ncry of the infernal stream ma e stone."
\nBut at the name of Love all hell was moved.
\nDeath’s throne half faded into twilight; hissed
\nThe Phantoms serpentine as if in pain,
\nAnd the dogs raised their dreadful heads. Then spoke <\/p>\n

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

\nYama:
\n"And what needs Love in this pale realm,
\nThe warm great Love? All worlds his breath confounds, <\/p>\n

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

\nMars
\nsolemn order and old steadfastness.
\nBut not in Hell his legates come and go;
\nHis vernal jurisdiction to bare Hell
\nExtends not. This last world resists his power
\nYouthful, anarchic. Here will he enlarge
\nTumult and wanton joys?" The voice replied:<\/p>\n

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

\n\u201cMenaca
\nmomentary on the earth,
\nHeaven’s Apsara by the fleeting hours beguiled
\nPlayed in the happy hidden glens; there bowed
\nTo yoke of swift terrestrial joys she bore,
\nImmortal, to that fair Gundhurva king
\nA mortal blossom of delight. That bloom
\nYoung Ruru found and plucked, but her too soon <\/p>\n

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

\nThy
\nfatal hooded snake on earth surprised,
\nAnd he through gloom now travels armed by Love." <\/p>\n

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

\nBut
\nthen all Hades swaying towards him cried:
\nO mortal, O misled! But sacrifice
\nIs stronger, nor may law of Hell or Heaven
\nIts fierce effectual action supersede.
\nThy dead I yield. Yet thou bethink thee, mortal,<\/p>\n

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

\nPage-253<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nNot
\nas a tedious evil nor to be
\nLightly rejected gave the gods old age,
\nBut tranquil, but august, but making easy
\nThe steep ascent to God. Therefore must Time
\nStill batter down the glory and form of youth
\nAnd animal magnificent strong ease,
\nTo warn the earthward man that he is spirit
\nDallying with transience, nor by death he ends,
\nNor to the dumb warm mother’s arms is bound,
\nBut called unborn into the unborn skies.
\nFor body fades with the increasing soul
\nAnd wideness of its limit grown intolerant
\nReplaces life’s impetuous joys by peace.
\nYouth, manhood, ripeness, age, four seasons
\nTwixt its return and pale departing life
\nDescribes, O mortal, – youth that forward bends <\/p>\n

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

\nMidst
\nhopes, delights and dreamings; manhood deepens <\/p>\n

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

\nTo
\npassions, toils and thoughts profound; but ripeness <\/p>\n

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

\nFor
\nlarge reflective gathering-up of these,
\nAs on a lonely slope whence men look back
\nDown towards the cities and the human fields
\nWhere they too worked and laughed and loved; next age, <\/p>\n

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

\nWonderful
\nage with those approaching skies.
\nThat boon wilt thou renounce? Wherefore? To bring <\/p>\n

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

\nFor
\na few years – how miserably few! –
\nHer sunward who must after all return.
\nAh, son of Rishis, cease. Lo, I remit
\nHell’s grasp, not oft-relinquished, and send back
\nThy beautiful life unborrowed to the stars.
\nOr thou must render to the immutable
\nTotal all thy fruit-bearing years; then she <\/p>\n

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

\nReblossoms."
\nBut the Shadow antagonist:
\n"Let him be shown the glory he would renounce." <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\nover the flaming pediment there moved,
\nAs on a frieze a march of sculptures, carved
\nBy Phidias <\/u>for the Virgin strong and pure,
\nMost perfect once of all things seen in earth
\nOr Heaven, in Athens on the Acropolis,
\nBut now dismembered, now disrupt! or as
\nIn Buddhist cavern or Orissan temple,<\/p>\n

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

\n
\n Page-254<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nLarge
\naspirations architectural,
\nWarrior and dancing-girl, adept and king,
\nAnd conquering pomps and daily peaceful groups <\/p>\n

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

\nDream
\ndelicately on, softening with beauty <\/p>\n

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

\nGreat
\nBhuvanayshwar, the Almighty’s house,
\nWith sculptural suggestion so were limned
\nScenes future on a pediment of fire.
\nThere Ruru saw himself divine with age,
\nA Rishi to whom infinity is close,
\nRejoicing in some green song-haunted glade
\nOr boundless mountain-top where most we feel
\nWidenss, not by small happy things disturbed.
\nAround him, as around an ancient tree <\/p>\n

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

\nIts
\nseedlings, forms august or flame-like rose;
\nThey grew beneath his hands and were his work;
\nGreat kings were there whom time remembers, fertile
\nDeep minds and poets with their chanting lips
\nWhose words were seed of vast philosophies \u2013 <\/p>\n

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

\nThese
\nworshipped; above this earth’s half-day he saw <\/p>\n

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

\nAmazed
\nthe dawn or-that mysterious Face
\nAnd all the universe in beauty merge.
\nMad the boy thrilled upwards, then spent ebbed back. <\/p>\n

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

\nOver
\nhis mind, as birds across the sky
\nSweep and are gone, the vision of those fields <\/p>\n

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

\nAnd
\ndrooping faces came; almost he heard
\nThe burdened river with human anguish wail.
\nThen with a sudden fury gathering
\nHis soul he hurled out of it half its life,
\nAnd fell, like lightning, prone. Triumphant rose <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nshadow chill and deepened giant night.
\nOnly the dais flickered in the gloom,
\nAnd those snake-eyes of cruel fire subdued.
\nBut suddenly a bloom, a fragrance. Hell
\nShuddered with bliss: resentful, overborne, <\/p>\n

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

\nThe
\nworld-besetting Terror faded back
\nLike one grown weak by desperate victory,
\nAnd a voice cried in Ruru’s <\/u>tired soul:
\n\u201dArise! the strife is over, easy now
\nThe horror that thou hast to face, the burden
\nNow shared," And with a sudden burst like spring
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\nPage-255<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\nLife woke in the strong lover over-tired.
\nHe rose and left dim Death. Twelve times he crossed <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nBoithorini, the river dolorous,
\nTwelve times resisted Hell and hurried down
\nInto the ominous pit where plunges black
\nThe vast stream thundering, saw, led puissantly <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nFrom night to unimaginable night, –
\nAs men oppressed in dreams, who cannot wake,
\nBut measure penal visions, – punishments.
\nWhose sight pollutes, unheard-of tortures, pangs <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nMonstrous, intolerable mute agonies,
\nTwisted unmoving attitudes of pain,
\nLike thoughts inhuman in statuary. A fierce
\nAnd iron voicelessness had grasped those worlds. <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nNo horror of cries expressed their endless pain,
\nNo saving struggle, no breathings of the soul.
\nAnd in the last hell irremediable
\nWhere Ganges clots into that fatal pool,
\nAppalled he saw her; pallid, listless, bare – 
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\n
\nO other than that earthly warmth and grace
\nIn which the happy roses deepened and dimmed <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nWith come-and-go of swift enamoured blood! <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nDumb drooped she; round her shapes of anger armed ".
\nStood dark like thunder-clouds. But Ruru sprang
\nUpon them, burning with the admitted God.
\nThey from his touch like ineffectual fears
\nVanished; then sole with her, trembling he cried <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nThe old glad name and crying bent to her
\nAnd touched, and at the touch the silent knots
\nOf Hell were broken and its sombre dream
\nOf dreadful stately pains at once dispersed.
\nThen as from one whom a surpassing joy
\nHas conquered, all the bright surrounding world <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nStreams swiftly into distance, and he feels
\nHis daily senses slipping from his grasp,
\nSo that unbearable enormous world
\nWent rolling mighty shades, like the wet mist
\nFrom men on mountain-tops; and sleep outstretched <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nRising its soft arms towards him and his thoughts, <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nAs on a bed, sank to ascending void.
\n <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nPage-256<\/p>\n

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

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

\nBut when he woke, he heard the koil insist
\nOn sweetness and the voice of happy things
\nContent with sunlight. The warm sense was round him <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nOf old essential earth, known hues and custom
\nFamiliar tranquillising body and mind,
\nAs in its natural wave a lotus feels.
\nHe looked and saw all grass and dense green trees, <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nAnd sunshine and a single grasshopper
\nNear him rpeated fierily its note.
\nThrilling he felt beneath his bosom her;
\nOh, warm and breathing were those rescued limbs <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nAgainst the greenness, vivid, palpable, white, <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nWith great black hair and real and her cheek’s <\/p>\n

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

\n
\nOld softness and her mouth a dewy rose.
\nFor many moments comforting his soul
\nWith all her jasmine body sun-ensnared
\nHe fed his longing eyes and, half in doubt,
\nWith touches satisfied himself of her.
\nHesitating he kissed her eyelids. Sighing
\nWith a slight sob she woke and earthly large
\nHer eyes looked upward into his. She stretched
\nHer arms up, yearning, and their souls embraced;
\nThen twixt brief sobbing laughter and blissful tears,
\nClinging with all her limbs to him, "O love,
\nThe green green world! the warm sunlight!" and ceased, <\/p>\n

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

\nFinding
\nno words; but the earth breathed round them, <\/p>\n

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

\nGlad
\nof her children, and the koil’s voice <\/p>\n

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

\nPersisted
\nin the morning of the world.<\/p>\n

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

\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n\tPage-257<\/p>\n

\t<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA
\nLETTER OF THE AUTHOR
\nON
\nLOVE AND DEATH<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nThe story of Ruru and Pramadvura – I have substituted a name [Priyumvada] 
\n<\/span>more manageable to<\/p>\n

the
\nEnglish tongue – her death in the forest by the snake and restoration at the
\nprice of half her husband’s life is told in the Mahabharata. It is a companion
\nlegend to the story of Savitri but not being told with any poetic skill or
\nbeauty has remained generally unknown. I have attempted in this poem to bring it
\nout of its obscurity. For full success, however, it should have had a more
\nfaithfully Hindu colouring, but it was written a score of years ago [1899] when
\nI had not penetrated to the heart of the Indian idea and its traditions, and the
\nshadow of the Greek underworld <\/u>and Tarta:rus with the sentiment of life
\nand love and death which hangs about them has got into the legendary framework
\nof the Indian Patala and hells. The central idea of the narrative alone is in
\nthe Mahabharata; the meeting with Kama and the descent into Hell were additions
\nnecessitated by the poverty of incident in the original story.
\n <\/p>\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\nPage-258<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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

Love and Death     In woodlands of the bright and early world, When love was to himself yet new and warm And stainless, played…<\/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-1463","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\/1463","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=1463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1463\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}