Chapter (অধ্যায়): MY PLAY IS DONE PAGE-175Page: 175 of 519


MY PLAY IS DONE

(Written in the Spring of 1895 in New York)

Ever rising, ever falling with the waves of time,

          still rolling on I go

From fleeting scene to scene ephemeral,

          with life's currents' ebb and flow.

Oh! I am sick of this unending force;

          these shows they please no more.

This ever running, never reaching,

          nor e'en a distant glimpse of shore!

From life to life I'm waiting at the gates,

          alas, they open not.

Dim are my eyes with vain attempt

          to catch one ray long sought.

On little life's high, narrow bridge

          I stand and see below

The struggling, crying, laughing throng.

          For what? No one can know.

In front yon gates stand frowning dark,

          and say: "No farther way,

This is the limit; tempt not Fate,

          bear it as best you may;

Go, mix with them and drink this cup

          and be as mad as they.

Who dares to know but comes to grief;

          stop then, and with them stay."

Alas for me, I cannot rest.

          This floating bubble, earth-

Its hollow form, its hollow name,

          its hollow death and birth-

For me is nothing. How I long

          to get beyond the crust



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