দেখিনু যে এক আশার স্বপন শুধু তা স্বপন, স্বপনময়-- স্বপন বই সে কিছুই নয়। অবশ হৃদয় অবসাদময় হারাইয়া সুখ শ্রান্ত অতিশয়-- আজিকে উঠিনু জাগি কেবল একটি স্বপন লাগি! বীণাটি আমার নীরব হইয়া গেছে গীতগান ভুলি, ছিঁড়িয়া টুটিয়া ফেলেছি তাহার একে একে তারগুলি। নীরব হইয়া রয়েছে পড়িয়া সুদূর শ্মশান-'পরে, কেবল একটি স্বপন-তরে! থাম্ থাম্ ওরে হৃদয় আমার, থাম্ থাম্ একেবারে, নিতান্তই যদি টুটিয়া পড়িবি একেবারে ভেঙে যা রে-- এই তোর কাছে মাগি। আমার জগৎ, আমার হৃদয়-- আগে যাহা ছিল এখন তা নয় কেবল একটি স্বপন লাগি।
O THOU THE last fulfilment of life. Death, my death, come and whisper to me! Day after day have I kept watch for thee; for thee have I borne the joys and pangs of life. All that I am, that I have, that I hope and all my love have ever flowed towards thee in depth of secrecy. One final glance from thine eyes and my life will be ever thine own. The flowers have been woven and the garland is ready for the bridegroom. After the wedding the bride shall leave her home and meet her lord alone in the solitude of night.
THE DAY CAME for the image from the temple to be drawn round the holy town in its chariot. The Queen said to the King, 'Let us go and attend the festival.' Only one man out of the whole household did not join in the pilgrimage. His work was to collect stalks of spear-grass to make brooms for the King's house. The chief of the servants said in pity to him, 'You may come with us.' He bowed his head, saying, 'It cannot be.' The man dwelt by the road along which the King's followers had to pass. And when the Minister's elephant reached this spot, he called to him and said, 'Come with us and see the God ride in his chariot!' I dare not seek God after the King's fashion,' said the man. 'How should you ever have such luck again as to see the God in his chariot?' asked the Minister. 'When God himself comes to my door,' answered the man. The Minister laughed loud and said, 'Fool! "When God comes to your door!" yet a King must travel to see him!' 'Who except God visits the poor?' said the man.
