(Rendered by P. N. APPUSWAMI)
I SHALL BE FREE!
“Surely, this long night will pass;
And the glorious dawn arrive!
Then will the gorgeous Sun arise:
And the lovely lotus in splendour smile.”
Thus did the little, buzzing bee
Imprisoned fast in the flower’s heart,
Think oft in anguish deep.
But, alas! An elephant from the forest came
And crushed the lotus plant!”
“Of lilies blue He made thine eyes,
Of lotus blossoms He formed thy face.
Of whitest jasmine He carved thy teeth.
Of freshest leaf-buds He moulded thy lips.
Of champak petals He shaped thy limbs.
How then was it, O my beloved,
That He, who formed thee thus, that Creator,
Carved thy heart of stone?”