{"id":3026,"date":"2013-07-13T01:45:28","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3026"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:45:28","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:45:28","slug":"25-narrative-poems-published-in-1910-contd-vol-02-collected-poems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/03-cwsa\/02-collected-poems\/25-narrative-poems-published-in-1910-contd-vol-02-collected-poems","title":{"rendered":"-25_Narrative Poems Published in 1910 – Contd.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n<\/p>\n

\n
\nChitrangada<\/font><\/b><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nChitrangada<\/a><\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn Manipur upon her orient hills<\/span><\/p>\n

\nChitrangada beheld intending dawn<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tGaze coldly in. She understood the call.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe silence and imperfect pallor passed<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tInto her heart and in herself she grew<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPrescient of grey realities. Rising,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShe gazed afraid into the opening world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen Urjoon felt his mighty clasp a void<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEmpty of her he loved and, through the grey<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUnwilling darkness that disclosed her face,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSought out Chitrangada. “Why dost thou stand<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn the grey light, like one from joy cast down?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tO thou whose bliss is sure. Leave that grey space,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCome hither.” So she came and leaning down,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith that strange sorrow in her eyes, replied:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n“Great, doubtless, is thy love, thy very sleep<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tImpatient of this brief divorce. And yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHow easily that void will soon be filled!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor thou wilt run thy splendid fiery race<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThrough cities and through regions like a star.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMen’s worship, women’s hearts inevitably<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWill turn to follow, as the planets move<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUnbidden round the sun. Thou wilt accept them,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCareless in thy heroic strength and beauty,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd smile securely kind, even as a God<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMight draw an earthly maiden to his arms<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd marry his immortal mouth to hers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen will thy destiny seize thee, thou wilt pass<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLike a great light in heaven and leave behind<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOnly a memory of force and fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNo lesser occupation can for ever<\/span><\/p>\n

\nKeep thee, O hero, whose terrestrial birth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHeaven fostered with her seed, 
\n\t\t\t\u2014  for what but this<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo fill thy soul with battle, and august<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 311<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nMisfortunes and majestic harms embrace<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd joys to thy own nature mated. Last,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEmpire shall meet thee on some mighty field<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDisputing thee with death. Thou art not ours<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMore than the wind that lingers for a while<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo touch our hair, then passes to its home.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Urjoon silently caressing her,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t“Muse not again, beloved Chitrangada,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAlone beside the window looking out<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOn the half-formed aspect and shape of things<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBefore sunlight was made. For God still keeps<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNear to a paler world the hour ere dawn<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd one who looks out from the happy, warm<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd mortal limit of mankind that live<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEnhoused, defended by companionship<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith walls and limitations, is outdrawn<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo dateless memories he cannot grasp<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd infinite yearnings without form, until<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe sense of an original vastness grows,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tEmpty of joyous detail, desolate,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn labour of a wide unfinished world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLook not into that solemn silence! Rather<\/span><\/p>\n

\nProtect thyself with joy, take in my arms<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRefuge from the grey summons and defend<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy soul until God rises with the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFriendly to mortals is the living sun’s<\/span><\/p>\n

\nGreat brilliant light, friendly the cheerful noise<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOf earth arising to her various tasks<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd myriad hopes. But this grey hour was born<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor the ascetic in his silent cave<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd for the dying man whose heart released<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLoosens its vibrant strings.” She answered him,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n“Near to the quiet truth of things we stand<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn this grey moment. Neither happy light<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor joyful sound deceives the listening heart,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNor Night inarms, the Mother brooding vast,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo comfort us with sleep. It helps me not<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 312<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTo bind thee for a moment to my joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe impulse of thy mighty life will come<\/span><\/p>\n

\nUpon thee like a wind and drive thee forth<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo toil and battle and disastrous deeds<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd all the giant anguish that preserves<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur world. Thou as resistlessly wast born<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo these things as the leopard’s leap to strength<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd beauty and fierceness, as resistlessly<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs women are to love,  \u2014  even though they know<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPain for the end, yet, knowing, still must love.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAh, quickly pass! Why shouldst thou linger here<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tVainly? How will it serve God’s purpose in thee<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo tarry soothing for her transient hour<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMerely a woman’s heart, meanwhile perhaps<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLose some great moment of thy life which once<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tNeglected never can return.” She paused<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd great Urjoon made answer, deeply moved:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t“Has my clasp slackened or hast thou perceived<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA waning passion in my kiss? Much more<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMy soul needs thee than on that fated day<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhen through Bengal of the enormous streams<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith careless horsehooves hurrying to the East<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI came, a wandering prince, companioned only<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBy courage and my sword; nor knew such flowers<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWere by the wayside waiting to be plucked<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAs these dark tresses and sweet body small<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf white Chitrangada. Dost thou remember?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tO fair young sovereign ruling with pure eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd little fearless hand fragile and mild<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThis strong and savage nation! Didst thou know?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDidst thou expect me in thy soul? Assuredly<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThy heart’s first flutterings recognised their lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd never with such gladness mountain queen<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tExchanged tremendous seat and austere powers,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer noble ancient right, for only leave<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo lay her head upon my feet and wear<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy kisses, not the crown. Content with love<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 313<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAll else thou gavest. Now thou speakest sadly,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tToo like a mind matured by thought and pain.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd she with passion cried: “Do I remember?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYes, I remember. What other thing can I<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRemember, till forgetfulness arrives?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tO endless moments, O rain-haunted nights,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhen thou art far! And O intolerable,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThe grey austere discomfortable dawn<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo which I shall awake alone! And yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThis year of thee is mine until the end.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe Gods demand the rest. With all myself<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI loved thee, not as other women do,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPiecemeal, reluctantly, but my whole heart<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd being like a sudden spring broke forth<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo flowers and greenness at my sungod’s touch,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tCeding existence at thy feet. Therefore<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI praise my father’s wise and prescient love<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThat kept me from the world for thee, unsought<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAmid the rugged mountains and fenced in<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWith barbarous inhospitable laws.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAround the dying man the torches flared<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom pillar to weird pillar; and one discerned<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn fitful redness on the shadowy walls<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tStone visages of grim un-Aryan gods.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe marble pallor of my father’s face<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLooked strange to me in that unsteady glare,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAs if an alien’s; and dream-fantasies<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThose figures seemed of Manipurian lords<\/span><\/p>\n

\nStrange-weaponed, rude, with faces fierce and gnarled,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLike those they worship. Unafraid I stood<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith grave and wide-orbed gaze contemplating<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTheir rugged pomp and the wild majesty<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf that last scene around my dying sire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAbout me stood a circle fierce and strong,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMen high like rough gnarled trees or firm squat towers;<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA human fortress in its savage strength<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEnringed my future with bright jealous spears.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 314<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTo them he entrusted me, calling each name,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd made their hearts my steps to mount a throne:<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEach name was made a link in a great chain,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tA turretted gate inwalling my rule,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEach heart a house of trust, a seal of fealty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSo were their thoughts conciliated; so<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTheir stern allegiance was secured. He spoke,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd, though of outward strength deprived, his voice<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRang clear yet as when over trumpets heard<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIt guided battle. Warriors of my East,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTake now this small white-bosomed queen of yours,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSurround her with the cincture of your force<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd guard her from the thieves of destiny<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWho prowl around the house of human life<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo impoverish the meanings of the gods.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFor I am ended and the shadow falls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe is the stem from which your kings shall grow<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tPerpetual. Guard her well lest Fate deceived<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPermit unworthier to usurp her days<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThan the unconquerable seed of gods.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOppose, oppose all alien entry here,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhether by force or guile the stranger comes,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo clutch Nature’s forbidden golden fruit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSerry your bucklers close to overwhelm<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe invader, seal your deaf and pitiless ears<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tTo the guest’s appeal, the suppliant call. He sole,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDarling of Fate and Heaven, shall break through all<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDespising danger’s threat and spurning death,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo grasp this prize, whether Ixvacou’s clan<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tYield a new Rama or the Bhoja hear<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd raven for her beauty,  \u2014  Vrishny-born,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOr else some lion’s whelp of those who lair<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn Hustina the proud, coveting two worlds,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tLeaping from conquered earth to climb to Heaven,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLife’s pride doubling with the soul’s ethereal crown.’<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHe closed his eyes against the earthly air,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe last silence fell on him: he spoke no more<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 315<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nSave the great name until his spirit passed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThen the grim lords forgot their savage calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA cry arose, Our queen!’ and I was caught<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tFrom breast to breast of wild affection; all<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCrowded upon me kissing feet and hands,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRecording silent oaths of love. Secure,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAlone in this wild faithful barbarous world,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tI ruled by weakness over rugged hearts,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA little queen adored,  \u2014  until at length<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThou camest. Rumour and wide-mouthed alarm<\/span><\/p>\n

\nRunning before thy chariot-wheels thou cam’st,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDefeat and death thy envoys and a cry:<\/span><\/p>\n

\nO Manipurians, Manipurians, arm!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSome god incensed invades you, 
\n\t\t\t\u2014  surely a god<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIncensed and fatal, for his bowstring huge<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSounds like the crack of breaking worlds and thick<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHis arrows as the sleet descends of doom<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhen the great Serpent wakes in wrath. Behind<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat cry the crash of hostile advent came,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThy chariot caked with mire and blood, its roof<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBristling and shattered from the fight, thy steeds<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhite with the spume of leagues, though yet they neighed<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLusting for speed and battle, and in the car<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tThy grandiose form o’ertowering common mould,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhile victory shone from eyes where thunder couched<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAbove his parent lightning. Swift to arms<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy warriors sprang, dismayed but faithful, swift<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAround me grew a hedge of steel. Enraged,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy coursers shod with wind rushed foaming on<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAnd in with crash and rumour stormed the car<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo that wide stone-paved hall; there loudly paused,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhile thunderous challenge of the stamping hooves<\/span><\/p>\n

\nClaimed all the place. Clanging thou leapedst down,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUrjoon, Gandiva in thy threatening grasp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen I beheld thy face, then rose, then stretched<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMy arms out, pausing not to think what god<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCompelled me from my throne. But war came in<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 316<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nBetween me and those sudden eyes. One bold<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBeyond his savage peers stood questioning forth:<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho art thou that with challenge insolent<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIntruding, from what land of deathless gods<\/span><\/p>\n

\nStormest with disallowed exulting wheels<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tIn white Chitrangada’s domain? To death<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMen hasten not so quickly, Aryan lord.’<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHero, thy look was calm, yet formidable,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nReplying, by thy anger undisturbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo death I haste indeed, but not to mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor think that Doom has claimed me for her own<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBecause I sole confront you. For my name<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAsk the pale thousands whose swift-footed fear<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHardly escaped my single onset; ask<\/span><\/p>\n

\nYour famous chieftains cold on hill or moor<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUpon my fatal route. Yet not for war<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI sought this region nor by death equipped,<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tInhospitable people who deny<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe human bond, but as a man to men<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tAlone I came and without need of fear,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf fear indeed were mine to feel. Nor trumpets blared<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMy coming nor battalions steel enforced,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho claimed but what the common bond allows.'”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n

\n
\nPage \u2013 317<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n\t\t\t <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Chitrangada     Chitrangada   In Manipur upon her orient hills Chitrangada beheld intending dawn Gaze coldly in. She understood the call. The silence…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-02-collected-poems","wpcat-57-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3026","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=3026"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3026\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}