The Gardener 71
The day is not yet done, the fair is not over, the fair on the river-bank.I had feared that my time had been squandered and my last penny lost.But no, my brother, I have still something left. My fate has notcheated me of everything.
The selling and buying are over.All the dues on both sides have been gathered in, and it is timefor me to go home.But, gatekeeper, do you ask for your toll?Do not fear, I have still something left. My fate has not cheatedme of everything.
The lull in the wind threatens storm, and the lowering clouds inthe west bode no good.The hushed water waits for the wind.I hurry to cross the river before the night overtakes me.O ferryman, you want your fee!Yes, brother, I have still something left. My fate has not cheatedme of everything.
In the wayside under the tree sits the beggar. Alas, he looks atmy face with a timid hope!He thinks I am rich with the day's profit.Yes, brother, I have still something left. My fate has not cheatedme of everything.
The night grows dark and the road lonely. Fireflies gleam among the leaves.Who are you that follow me with stealthy silent steps?Ah, I know, it is your desire to rob me of all my gains. I willnot disappoint you!For I still have something left, and my fate has not cheated me of everything.
At midnight I reach home. My hands are empty.You are waiting with anxious eyes at my door, sleepless and silent.Like a timorous bird you fly to my breast with eager love.Ay, ay, my God, much remains still. My fate has not cheated me of everything.
Words in this poem
- lull v. t.
- To cause to rest by soothing influences; to compose; to calm; to soothe; to quiet. [Akin to OD. lullen to sing to sleep, G. lullen, Dan. lulle, Sw. lulla; all of imitative origin. Cf. Loll, Lollard.]
- bode n.
- An omen; a foreshadowing.
- ferryman n.
- One who maintains or attends a ferry.
- wayside n.
- The side of the way; the edge or border of a road or path.
- sleepless a.
- Having no sleep; wakeful.
Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.
About this text
The Gardener 71 is in the public domain. This text is taken from The Gardener, translated by the author from the original Bengali (Macmillan, London and New York, 1913; this text the 1915 printing), Project Gutenberg ebook #6686; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.
Cite as: Rabindranath Tagore, The Gardener 71, in The Gardener (1913), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #6686, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/tagore-gardener/poem-71.html, id L27707.
About this section
The Gardener 71 is prose, printed in 6 paragraphs. It is part of the edition and is kept for reading, but nothing here is measured: the line breaks are the printer's, so no metre, rhyme scheme or scansion is stated.
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