Introduction
A couple of weeks agone I told to a recognized Bangla doctor of medicinal drug, `I know no German language, still if a version of a German language poet had displaced me, I would attend British Museum and discover book in English language that would narrate me something of his biography, and of the story of his thinking. But although this prose renderings by Rabindranath Tagore have aroused my blood as nil has for a long time, I shall not acknowledge anything of his life story, and of the drifts of thought that have caused them possible, if some bharat traveler won't narrate me.'
It appeared to him raw that I had better be displaced, for he told, `I study Rabindranath each day, to read one line of his is to leave all the distracts of the humanity.' I said, `An Englishman existing in British capital in the rule of Richard the 2d had he been shown versions from Francesco Petrarca or by Dante, would have discovered no books to reply his inquiries, but would have queried a few Florentine banker or Langobard merchant as I query you..continued
Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore ebook download
Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.
This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.
At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.
Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine. Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.
When thou commandest me to sing it seems that my heart would break with pride; and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes.
All that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts into one sweet harmony---and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird on its flight across the sea.
I know thou takest pleasure in my singing. I know that only as a singer I come before thy presence.
I touch by the edge of the far-spreading wing of my song thy feet which I could never aspire to reach.
Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself and call thee friend who art my lord
GITANJALI
Song Offerings
A collection of prose translations
made by the author from
the original Bengali
with an introduction by
W. B. YEATS
to WILLIAM ROTHENSTEIN
A couple of weeks agone I told to a recognized Bangla doctor of medicinal drug, `I know no German language, still if a version of a German language poet had displaced me, I would attend British Museum and discover book in English language that would narrate me something of his biography, and of the story of his thinking. But although this prose renderings by Rabindranath Tagore have aroused my blood as nil has for a long time, I shall not acknowledge anything of his life story, and of the drifts of thought that have caused them possible, if some bharat traveler won't narrate me.'
It appeared to him raw that I had better be displaced, for he told, `I study Rabindranath each day, to read one line of his is to leave all the distracts of the humanity.' I said, `An Englishman existing in British capital in the rule of Richard the 2d had he been shown versions from Francesco Petrarca or by Dante, would have discovered no books to reply his inquiries, but would have queried a few Florentine banker or Langobard merchant as I query you..continued
Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore ebook download
Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.
This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.
At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.
Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine. Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.
When thou commandest me to sing it seems that my heart would break with pride; and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes.
All that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts into one sweet harmony---and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird on its flight across the sea.
I know thou takest pleasure in my singing. I know that only as a singer I come before thy presence.
I touch by the edge of the far-spreading wing of my song thy feet which I could never aspire to reach.
Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself and call thee friend who art my lord
GITANJALI
Song Offerings
A collection of prose translations
made by the author from
the original Bengali
with an introduction by
W. B. YEATS
to WILLIAM ROTHENSTEIN
