On the slope of the desolate river [German translation]

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.

• Artist:Rabindranath Tagore