The Gardener (Tagore)/11

Come as you are, do not loiter over your toilet. If your braided hair has loosened, if the parting of your hair be not straight, if the ribbons of your bodice be not fastened, do not mind. Come as you are; do not loiter over your toilet.

Come with quick steps over the grass. If the raddle come from your feet because of the dew, if the rings of bells upon your feet slacken, if pearls drop out from your chain, do not mind. Come, with quick steps over the grass.

Do you see the clouds wrapping the sky? Flocks of cranes fly up from the further river-bank and fistful gusts of wind rush over the heath. The anxious cattle run to their stalls in the village. Do you see the clouds wrapping the sky?

In vain you light your toilet lamp-it flickers and goes out in the wind. Who can know that your eyelids have not been touched with lamp black? For your eyes are darker than rain clouds. In vain you light your toilet lamp-it goes out.

Come as you are; do not loiter over your toilet. If wreath is not woven, who cares; if the wrist chain has not been linked, let it be. The sky is overcast with clouds-it is late. Come as you are; do not loiter over your toilet.