Chapter Twenty One

When Jibananda was gone, Shanti went and sat upon Nimai's verandah. Nimai, taking her little girl into her lap, came and sat beside her. There was no more weeping in Shanti's eyes; Shanti had wiped them dry, had made her face cheerful, and was smiling a little. She was somewhat grave, somewhat lost in thought, somewhat distracted in mind. Nimai, understanding, said, "Yet for all that, you did see one another."

Song

"On thy stout charger mounted, whither away dost thou ride?" "Unto the battle I go, hold me not back! Crying 'Hari, Hari, Hari, Hari!' in the fury of war, I shall plunge my life this day into the surging tide of battle. Whose art thou, who is thine, wherefore comest thou with me? No relish have I for women — sing thou of the victory of war!"

II

"I clasp thy feet, lord of my life — leave me not, oh leave me not!" "Listen — hark the thundering drums of victory in the war! My charger neighs and prances, longing for the fray; My heart is taken wing, I will tarry no more at home; No relish have I for women — sing thou of the victory of war!"