SRI AUROBINDO

Translations

from Sanskrit and Other Languages

II. From Bengali

Chittaranjan Das

Songs of the Sea (Sagar Sangit)

XXII

O today in heaven there rings high a mournful strain,

Till our empty hearts beat slow and of ending fain.

Mournful moans the cloud, mournfully and loud

Kissing ocean, roaming heaven in vain

Hear the winds complain!

And today with lost desire

Sobs my spirit like a lyre

Wakened to complain.

For it seeks a want it cannot name,

Aching with a viewless flame

Knows not how to rest nor where to flee,

Only wailing knows and pain.

Towards the clouds it soars up fitfully,

Lured it knows not where nor why:

Singing only from the soul

Songs of bitter dole!

Neither rhythm keeps nor cry

Of saving measure, fitfully

Wailing out its shapeless pain.

They have filled the heavens and filled my soul,

Songs of weeping wild and bitter dole,

Chants of utter pain.