In the morning I cast my net into the sea [German translation]

In the morning I cast my net into the sea.

I dragged up from the dark abyss things of strange aspect

and strange beauty -- some shone like a smile,

some glistened like tears, and some were flushed

like the cheeks of a bride.

When with the day's burden I went home, my love was sitting

in the garden idly tearing the leaves of a flower.

I hesitated for a moment, and then placed at her feet

all that I had dragged up, and stood silent.

She glanced at them and said, "What strange things are these?

I know not of what use they are!"

I bowed my head in shame and thought, "I have not fought

for these, I did not buy them in the market;

they are not fit gifts for her."

Then the whole night through I flung them

one by one into the street.

In the morning travellers came; they picked them up

and carried them into far countries.

• Artist:Rabindranath Tagore