Fruit-Gathering | Page 2

to
follow the homeless tide, for the Stranger calls me, he is going along
the road.

VIII
Be ready to launch forth, my heart! and let those linger who must.
For your name has been called in the morning sky.
Wait for none!
The desire of the bud is for the night and dew, but the blown flower
cries for the freedom of light.
Burst your sheath, my heart, and come forth!

IX
When I lingered among my hoarded treasure I felt like a worm that
feeds in the dark upon the fruit where it was born.
I leave this prison of decay.
I care not to haunt the mouldy stillness, for I go in search of everlasting
youth; I throw away all that is not one with my life nor as light as my
laughter.
I run through time and, O my heart, in your chariot dances the poet who
sings while he wanders.

X
You took my hand and drew me to your side, made me sit on the high
seat before all men, till I became timid, unable to stir and walk my own
way; doubting and debating at every step lest I should tread upon any
thorn of their disfavour.
I am freed at last!
The blow has come, the drum of insult sounded, my seat is laid low in

the dust.
My paths are open before me.
My wings are full of the desire of the sky.
I go to join the shooting stars of midnight, to plunge into the profound
shadow.
I am like the storm-driven cloud of summer that, having cast off its
crown of gold, hangs as a sword the thunderbolt upon a chain of
lightning.
In desperate joy I run upon the dusty path of the despised; I draw near
to your final welcome.
The child finds its mother when it leaves her womb.
When I am parted from you, thrown out from your household, I am free
to see your face.

XI
It decks me only to mock me, this jewelled chain of mine.
It bruises me when on my neck, it strangles me when I struggle to tear
it off.
It grips my throat, it chokes my singing.
Could I but offer it to your hand, my Lord, I would be saved.
Take it from me, and in exchange bind me to you with a garland, for I
am ashamed to stand before you with this jewelled chain on my neck.

XII
Far below flowed the Jumna, swift and clear, above frowned the jutting
bank.
Hills dark with the woods and scarred with the torrents were gathered
around.
Govinda, the great Sikh teacher, sat on the rock reading scriptures,
when Raghunath, his disciple, proud of his wealth, caine and bowed to
him and said, "I have brought my poor present unworthy of your
acceptance."
[Transcriber's note: In the above verse, the word 'caine' does not fit in,
the word 'came' makes more sense]
Thus saying he displayed before the teacher a pair of gold bangles
wrought with costly stones.

The master took up one of them, twirling it round his finger, and the
diamonds darted shafts of light.
Suddenly it slipped from his hand and rolled down the bank into the
water.
"Alas," screamed Raghunath, and jumped into the stream.
The teacher set his eyes upon his book, and the water held and hid what
it stole and went its way.
The daylight faded when Raghunath came back to the teacher tired and
dripping.
He panted and said, "I can still get it back if you show me where it
fell."
The teacher took up the remaining bangle and throwing it into the water
said, "It is there."

XIII
To move is to meet you every moment, Fellow-traveller!
It is to sing to the falling of your feet.
He whom your breath touches does not glide by the shelter of the bank.
He spreads a reckless sail to the wind and rides the turbulent water.
He who throws his doors open and steps onward receives your greeting.
He does not stay to count his gain or to mourn his loss; his heart beats
the drum for his march, for that is to march with you every step,
Fellow-traveller!

XIV
My portion of the best in this world will come from your hands: such
was your promise.
Therefore your light glistens in my tears.
I fear to be led by others lest I miss you waiting in some road corner to
be my guide.
I walk my own wilful way till my very folly tempts you to my door.
For I have your promise that my portion of the best in this world will
come from your hands.

XV
Your speech is simple, my