But, friend, let me also remind you that you had another
companion whose thoughts were vainly busy to make
you forget an exile’s cares.
The memory of her has become a part of my life.
I recall the day when, little more than a boy, you
first arrived. You stood there, near the hedge
of the garden, a smile in your eyes.
And I saw you gathering flowers—clad in
white, like the dawn bathed in radiance. And
I said, “Make me proud by allowing me to help
you!”
I asked in surprise who you were, and you meekly answered
that you were the son of Vrihaspati, a divine sage
at the court of the God Indra, and desired to learn
from my father that secret spell which can revive the
dead.
I feared lest the Master, the teacher of the Titans,
those rivals of the Gods, should refuse to accept
me for a disciple.
But he could not refuse me when I pleaded your cause,
so greatly he loves his daughter.
Thrice had the jealous Titans slain me, and thrice
you prevailed on your father to bring me back to life;
therefore my gratitude can never die.
Gratitude! Forget all—I shall not
grieve. Do you only remember benefits? Let
them perish! If after the day’s lessons,
in the evening solitude, some strange tremor of joy
shook your heart, remember that—but not
gratitude. If, as some one passed, a snatch of
song got tangled among your texts or the swing of
a robe fluttered your studies with delight, remember
that when at leisure in your Paradise. What,
benefits only!—and neither beauty nor love
nor...?
Some things are beyond the power of words.
Yes, yes, I know. My love has sounded your heart’s
deepest, and makes me bold to speak in defiance of
your reserve. Never leave me! remain here! fame
gives no happiness. Friend, you cannot now escape,
for your secret is mine!
No, no, Devayani.
How “No”? Do not lie to me!
Love’s insight is divine. Day after day,
in raising your head, in a glance, in the motion of
your hands, your love spoke as the sea speaks through
its waves. On a sudden my voice would send your
heart quivering through your limbs—have
I never witnessed it? I know you, and therefore
you are my captive for ever. The very king of
your Gods shall not sever this bond.
