Rendered by the AUTHOR from his original Bengali

I

THERE is some alluring witchcraft in the rounded glory of our breasts, that’s true–but that is not all–

Hidden behind them and the witchcraft there is a heart throbbing with musical strains;

With that music we create on the shores of vapid life a whole world of light and love, or grace and joy–

There is an alluring witchcraft in the rounded glory of our breasts–but that is not all–not all!

II

There is a drowsy intoxication in the embrace of our streamlined arms–and no mistake–but that is not all–

Hidden behind them and the intoxication there is a sweet, sad yearning and an aching song which is not born of any earthly strains;

In the strains of that aching song the earth recedes further and further away and the universe is filled with the glory of an effulgent light–

There is a drowsy intoxication in the embrace of our streamlined arms–but that is not all–not all!

III

There is daring of the senses in the flash of our eyes–what’s the harm?–but that is not all–

Hidden behind them and the flash there is the steady flame of a lamp ever burning, which is of another world–oh! doubt it not–

In the rays of that flame, the dark clouds in Life’s heaven become rainbow-hued, and with those rainbow colours we brighten the sordid earth–this sordid earth–

There is daring of senses in the flash of our eyes–but that is not all–not all!

IV

Perhaps there is a wily enchantress hovering about the smiles of our lips–but that is not all–

Hidden behind them and the enchantress there is another picture unfolding itself–oh! doubt it not–

In the music of the colours of that picture, the far embraces the near, songs transform the senses, the finite touches the Infinite and in the blue, boundless heaven bloom countless flowers of light and a deep felicity fills Life’s mortal frame–

Perhaps there is a wily enchantress hovering about the smiles of our lips–but that is not all–not all!

V

Our home we have built within the confines of this clay-laden earth–the soft cool clay-laden earth–

To the stories of that earth we bring the tales of the stars–

To the sordid senses we sing a celestial song;

With a throbbing delight in the heart of clay

We shatter the shackles of the flesh,

And with a thrill we sweep clean all the fetters of the earthy earth,

We have built our home within the confines of the clay-laden earth,

And within those confines we serve a cup of nectar which is of the gods’ immortal home–the earthen pitcher we fill with an ambrosial drink!

Back