Classic Poem

Where hast thou gone, friend Chandidas? —
My thirsty eyes are never slaked,
Like rain-birds when the clouds are dry.

What did the king, the Lord of Gaur? —
His love-unlighted life is vain! —
He killed the darling of my heart.

Why didst thou go to court to sing? —
Love's pride is shattered in the dust,
Before heaven, earth, hell, beast and man.

She heard the song, the Padshah's Queen;
Her secret pain she could not hide,
But told her Lord her inmost heart,

" My soul within is all aflame
With burning love for Chandidas, " —
For love she sacrificed her all!

The king calls up his minister;
" Quick, bring the stoutest elephant,
And give the bard his guerdon due!

Upon the great brute's burly back
With stout ropes bind our cursed foe;
Transfix him and get rid of him! "

The Queen cried, " Listen, O my Lord,
He is the embodiment of Love:
Why then destroy his mortal frame!

He whose sweet song has pierced my heart
Is not a man of common clay:
Within him Love eternal reigns! "

Away the beast rushed furiously!
And seeing thee, my love, no more,
Heaven's bolt fell crashing on my head!

Hard holding by the creeper's stem,
" Lord of my heart, " I cried aloud,
" Left am I lordless and alone! "

The Queen cried loudly, " Leave me not " ;
And even then her spirit fled;
And those two lives did meet in death.

With thoughts fixed deep on Chandidas,
The Queen no longer clung to life,
And death brought ease to her distress.

Struck with the sight, then Rami ran,
And, at the royal lady's feet
The washer-maiden swooning fell.