'COME AND HIRE me,' I cried, while in the morning I was walking on the stone-paved road.
Sword in hand, the King came in his chariot.
He held my hand and said, I will hire you with my power.'
But his power counted for nought, and he went away in his chariot.
In the heat of the midday the houses stood with shut doors.
I wandered along the crooked lane.
An old man came out with his bag of gold.
He pondered and said, I will hire you with my money.'
He weighed his coins one by one, but I turned away.
It was evening. The garden hedge was all aflower.
The fair maid came out and said, I will hire you with a smile.'
Her smile paled and melted into tears, and she went back alone into the dark.
The sun glistened on the sand, and the sea waves broke waywardly.
A child sat playing with shells.
He raised his head and seemed to know me, and said, I hire you with nothing.'
From thenceforward that bargain struck in child's play made me a free man.

যাহা-কিছু বলি আজি সব বৃথা হয়,
মন বলে মাথা নাড়ি--এ নয়, এ নয়।
যে কথায় প্রাণ মোর পরিপূর্ণতম
সে কথা বাজে না কেন এ বীণায় মম।
সে শুধু ভরিয়া উঠি অশ্রুর আবেগে
হৃদয়আকাশ ঘিরে ঘনঘোর মেঘে;
মাঝে মাঝে বিদ্যুতের বিদীর্ণ রেখায়
অন্তর করিয়া ছিন্ন কী দেখাতে চায়?
মৌন মূক মূঢ়-সম ঘনায়ে আঁধারে
সহসা নিশীথরাত্রে কাঁদে শত ধারে।
বাক্যভারে রুদ্ধকণ্ঠ, রে স্তম্ভিত প্রাণ,
কোথায় হারায়ে এলি তোর যত গান।
বাঁশি যেন নাই, বৃথা নিশ্বাস কেবল--
রাগিনীর পরিবর্তে শুধু অশ্রুজল।

III. 110. carkha calai surat virahin ka
THE WOMAN who is parted from her lover spins at the spinning wheel.
The city of the body arises in its beauty; and within it the palace of the mind has been built.
The wheel of love revolves in the sky, and the seat is made of the jewels of knowledge:
What subtle threads the woman weaves, and makes them fine with love and reverence!
Kabir says: I am weaving the garland of day and night. When my Lover comes and touches me with His feet, I shall offer Him my tears.