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LXIV
On the slope of the desolate river among tall grasses I
asked her, 'Maiden, where do you go shading your lamp with your
mantle? My house is all dark and lonesome lend me your light!'
she raised her dark eyes for a moment and looked at my face
through the dusk. I have come to the river,' she said, to float my
lamp on the stream when the daylight wanes in the west.' I stood
alone among tall grasses and watched the timid flame of her lamp
uselessly drifting in the tide.
In the silence of gathering night I asked her,
'Maiden, your
lights are all lit | then where do you go with your lamp? My house is
all dark and lonesome | lend me your light.' She raised her dark eyes
on my face and stood for a moment doubtful. 'I have come,' she said
at last, to dedicate my lamp to the sky.' I stood and watched her light
uselessly burning in the void.
In the moonless gloom of midnight I ask her,
'Maiden, what is
your quest, holding the lamp near your heart? My house is all dark
and lonesome lend me your light.' She stopped for a minute and
thought and gazed at my face in the dark. 'I have brought my light,'
she said, `to join the carnival of lamps.' I stood and watched her
little lamp uselessly lost among lights.
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