Classic Poem

Most lovely the sweeper girl Chameli
so sweet of face —
just like a flower in bloom —
and her voice sweet to the ear.

At dawn's reddening she comes
to sweep the yard, when Daybreak,
that goddess, moves her golden broom
sweeping stains from the eastern sky.

Sitting in his window Sundar Prasad
sang a song of love,
how love goes beyond this earth.
Chameli heard it; in her eyes
the round tears gathered.

Sundar gave her a fragrant leaf;
Chameli made a little cup.
His mother said, " She's just like a whore
pretending to be respectable!

The millionaire Brahman's daughter
is learned, they say she's beautiful. "
Says Sundar, " I won't marry her!
I'd just as soon be dead. "

" Chameli, here's five hundred rupees,
all my money for the year. "
Five times Chameli took the five notes
and the evening turned to daylight.

" Come to me, my child,
wearing fine and clean and proper clothes. "
The next day the girl comes running —
who can it be — a royal princess?

At dawn Chameli's there,
come to sweep the courtyard.
" Oh girl, my girl! Fill two pitchers
and set them by the door! "

A stick in his hand, a watch on his wrist,
Sundar says, " Oh Mother!
From this morning on I'm just a sweeper,
by the Lord, I've thrown away my caste. "

" Oh son, oh son! " " Don't call me son,
you Brahman lady, oh!
For Chameli I Sundar
freely and for love
am born anew, oh! "