THE GIRLS ARE out to fetch water from the river- their laughter comes through the trees, I long to join them in the lane, where goats graze in the shade, and squirrels flit from sun to shadow, across the fallen leaves.
But my day's task is already done, my jars are filled. I stand at my door to watch the glistening green of the areca leaves, and hear the laughing women going to fetch water from the river.
It has ever been dear to me to carry the burden of my full vessel day after day, in the dew-dipped morning freshness and in the tired glimmer of the dayfall.
Its gurgling water babbled to me when my mind was idle, it laughed with the silent laughter of my joyous thoughts-it spoke to my heart with tearful sobs when I was sad. I have carried it in stormy days, when the loud rain drowned the anxious cooing of doves.
My day's task is done, my jars are filled, the light wanes in the west, and shadows gather beneath the trees; a sigh comes from the flowering linseed field, and my wistful eyes follow the lane, that runs through the village to the bank of the dark water.

IF PEOPLE came to know where my king's palace is, it would vanish into the air.
The walls are of white silver and the roof of shining gold.
The queen lives in a palace with seven courtyards, and she wears a jewel that cost all the wealth of seven kingdoms.
But let me tell you, mother, in a whisper, where my king's palace is.
It is at the corner of our terrace where the pot of the tulsi plant stands.
The princess lies sleeping on the far-away shore of the seven impassable seas.
There is none in the world who can find her but myself.
She has bracelets on her arms and pearl drops in her ears; her hair sweeps down upon the floor.
She will wake when I touch her with my magic wand, and jewels will fall from her lips when she smiles.
But let me whisper in your ear, mother; she is there in the corner of our terrace where the pot of the tulsi plant stands.
When it is time for you to go to the river for your bath, step up to that terrace on the roof.
I sit in the corner where the shadows of the walls meet together.
Only puss is allowed to come with me, for she knows where the barber in the story lives.
But let me whisper, mother, in your ear where the barber in the story lives.
It is at the corner of the terrace where the pot of the tulsi plant stands.

বার বার সখি, বারণ করনু,
ন যাও মথুরাধাম।
বিসরি প্রেমদুখ রাজভোগ যথি
করত হমারই শ্যাম।
ধিক তুঁহু দাম্ভিক, ধিক রসনা ধিক,
লইলি কাহারই নাম?
বোল তো সজনি, মথুরাঅধিপতি
সো কি হমারই শ্যাম?
ধনকো শ্যাম সো, মথুরাপুরকো,
রাজ্যমানকো হোয়।
নহ পীরিতিকো, ব্রজকামিনীকো,
নিচয় কহনু ময় তোয়।
যব তুঁহু ঠারবি সো নব নরপতি
জনি রে করে অবমান,
ছিন্নকুসুমসম ঝরব ধরা 'পর,
পলকে খোয়ব প্রাণ।
বিসরল বিসরল সো সব বিসরল
বৃন্দাবন সুখসঙ্গ,
নব নগরে সখি নবীন নাগর
উপজল নব নব রঙ্গ।
ভানু কহত -- অয়ি বিরহকাতরা
মনমে বাঁধহ থেহ।
মুগুধা বালা, বুঝই বুঝলি না,
হমার শ্যামক লেহ।