Sasui: Kohiyari-XVII
(The Mountain Path)

I

1

Careless one, drop this drowsiness;
no more for slumber seek-
O shamless one, drive sleep from eyes
and be no longer weak-
So that you may not have to shriek
in mountains after him-

2

Those who upon their couches lay,
with outstretched leags, alas...
The company did pass away,
leaving such sleeping ones.

3

Reproach comes to unlucky ones
who so much sleep desire;
Why after Punhu do enquire
who sleep from sunset on?

4

Hard-hearted mount, vain was my plea,
high-handed tyrant thou;
My being you sawed, as wood-cutters
do cut the helpless tree;
But for decree of Destiny
Oh, who would walk thy stones?

5

O mountain, when my love I meet;
your tortures I'll relate;
Your hideous shadow ghosts at dawn,
your winding way's deceit,
You did me not with kindness treat
but dimmed the loved-one's tracks.

6

O silent mountain, not a clue
you give me my love-
But yesterday a camel-cade
in long row moved through you,
This dead one's spouse, did you not view
amongst the company?

7

O mountain, to the friend I'll bear
at once the gret reproach;
That you to shreds the very soles
of my poor feet did tear;
That your soul is of pity bare
and ne'er any worth you know.

8

O mountain, hearts of sorrowing ones
you should console and soothe;
Instead of that, their feet you bruise-
you stony, callous one.

9

O mountain, each day in sacrifice
I throw myself on you-
Because there are mysterious ties
'twixt you and my love's tale.

10

O mount, the helpless one in woe
now sits with you and weeps;
But never anyone lets know
the links twixt you and her.

11

O mountain, though you hot have grown
you cannot harm me now;
You may be made of hardest stone
my limbs are iron-made-
't is no one's fault, it is my own
my own strange destiny.

II

12

O Punhu do not leave me here
in mountains weird and dire-
I'll walk with you on foot, and fire
to Bhambore I will set.

13

Reflection of my Punhu, light
it doth display and shade;
I have to walk the chequered road...
O see, the cloth is laid
In soda-wash, and clean is made
ere colours it receives.

14

Reflection of my Punhu is
like cloud and flash, and I
Follow this Prince and sob and sigh
and weep without respite.

15

Reflection of my Punhu is
the acme of all Bliss-
For his sake my most luckless day
for me comfort it is
Calamity my Prince left, his
sweetest gift for me.
___________________


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