Two Songs of Tagore – IX

Translated from the original Bangla version by Sreejit Datta

Tomār mohɑːno rūpe ke rɑːy bhule 

(To listen to the original Bangla song, click here)

Who remains mesmerised forever by Your enchanting form?

I know not what death dances at those feet with such aplomb!

Slashing Sharad’s robe of light, what flash flares up there? 

Have You now brought storms in those wild cascades of hair! 

           A cold shiver ripples through the air —

In the overflowing field, the golden paddy trembles in fear.

This I know, Thy worship will be done amidst cries of despair 

              Today, upon the shores of the endless ocean of tears! 

Godhuli gɑːgone meghe dhekechilo tārā

(To listen to the original Bangla song, click here)

The twilight sky had its stars all wrapped in cloud;

I was done telling all that I had to express aloud.

Perchance you didn’t heed it, and so you casually bid me adieu – 

The sky spoke profusely then, in torrents the rain poured down. 

When I looked at your face, you didn’t lift those eyes; 

The mute aching, overcast with shadows, didn’t seem to arise.

When will there be another such evening, if ever?

Alas! Not in this birth, no – it is now lost forever.