The Cycle of Spring Part 22

_Leader_

He is a dream.

Then you are the real?

_Leader_

Yes.

And we are the real?

_Leader_

Yes.

Those who saw you from behind imagined you in all kinds of shapes.

We didn't recognize you through the dust.

You seemed old.

And then you came out of the cave,--and now you look like a boy.

It seems just as if we had seen you for the first time.

_Chandra_

You are first every time. You are first over and over again.

_Leader_

Chandra! You must own your defeat. You couldn't catch the Old Man.

_Chandra_

Let our festival begin. The sun is up.

Minstrel, if you keep so still, you will swoon away. Sing something.

(_The Minstrel sings._)

_I lose thee, to find thee back again and again, My beloved.

Thou leavest me, that I may receive thee all the more, when thou returnest.

Thou canst vanish behind the moment's screen Only because thou art mine for evermore, My beloved.

When I go in search of thee, my heart trembles, spreading ripples across my love.

Thou smilest through thy disguise of utter absence, and my tears sweeten thy smile._

Do you hear the hum?

Yes.

They are not bees, but the people of the place.

Then Dada must be near at hand with his quatrains.

_Dada_

Is this the Leader?

Yes, Dada.

_Dada_

Oh, I am so glad you have come. I must read my collection of quatrains.

No. No. Not the whole collection, but only one.

_Dada_

Very well. One will do.

The sun is at the gate of the East, his drum of victory sounding in the sky.

The Night says I am blessed, my death is bliss.

He receives his alms of gold, filling his wallet,--and departs.

That is to say----

No. We don't want your that is to say.

_Dada_

It means----

Whatever it means, we are determined not to know it.

_Dada_

What makes you so desperate?

It is our festival day.

_Dada_

Ah! Is that so? Then let me go to all the neighbours----

No, you mustn't go there.

_Dada_