SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
II. From Bengali
XI
Ere I had taken half my will of joy,
Why hast thou, Night, with cruel swiftness ceased?
To slay a woman’s heart with sad annoy,
O ruddy Dawn, thou openest in the east.
The whispering world begins in dawn’s red shining,
Nor will Night stay one hour for lovers’ pining.
Ere love is done, must Dawn our love discover?
Ah why should lover’s blissful meeting
Mix so soon with parting’s sorrow?
On happy night come heavy morrow?
Night will not stay for love’s entreating.
Ere love was done, ah me! the night was over.