WHEN I GIVE up the helm I know that the time has come for thee to take it. What there is to do will be instantly done. Vain is this struggle.
Then take away your hands and silently put up with your defeat, my heart, and think it your good fortune to sit perfectly still where you are placed.
These my lamps are blown out at every little puff of wind, and trying to light them I forget all else again and again.
But I shall be wise this time and wait in the dark, spreading my mat on the floor; and whenever it is thy pleasure, my lord, come silently and take thy seat here.

IN THE NIGHT the song came to me; but you were not there.
        It found the words for which I had been seeking all day. Yes, in the stillness a moment after dark they throbbed into music, even as the stars then began to pulse with light; but you were not there. My hope was to sing it to you in the morning; but, try as I might, though the music came, the words hung back, when you were beside me.

যতকাল তুই শিশুর মতো
             রইবি বলহীন,
অন্তরেরি অন্তঃপুরে
             থাক্‌ রে ততদিন।
                           অল্প ঘায়ে পড়বি ঘুরে,
                           অল্প দাহে মরবি পুড়ে,
                           অল্প গায়ে লাগলে ধুলা
                                  করবে যে মলিন--
                           অন্তরেরি অন্তঃপুরে
                                  থাক্‌ রে ততদিন।
যখন তোমার শক্তি হবে
       উঠবে ভরে প্রাণ
আগুন-ভরা সুধা তাঁহার
       করবি যখন পান--
             বাইরে তখন যাস রে ছুটে,
             থাকবি শুচি ধুলায় লুটে,
             সকল বাঁধন অঙ্গে নিয়ে
                    বেড়াবি স্বাধীন--
             অন্তরেরি অন্তঃপুরে
                    থাক্‌ রে ততদিন।