Thou hadst no servants to attend on Thee;
Then why this pomp of household state for me?
Coarse fare and scanty was Thy portion, Lord;
Then why for me this richly-furnished board?
Thou hadst not where to lay Thy head to rest;
Then why should I of mansions be possessed?
Ah, hapless I! What is this tyranny?
How dost Thou laugh and make a mock of me!
Ah, take from me this burden that doth bow
My head! blest ocean of all love art Thou!
I speak in anger, Lord; yet, if Thou too
Reject my prayer, what can Thy servant do?
Saith Dāsa, Christ, upon Thy pallet-bed
Grant me a little space to lay my head.
THE LAST PRAYER
Lay me within Thy lap to rest;
Around my head Thine arm entwine;
Let me gaze up into Thy face,
O Father-Mother mine!
So let my spirit pass with joy,
Now at the last, O Tenderest!
Saith Dāsa, Grant Thy wayward child
This one, this last request.
Nārāyan Vāman Tilak.
UNION WITH CHRIST
As the moon and its beams are one,
So that I be one with Thee,
This is my prayer to Thee, my Lord,
This is this beggar’s plea.
I would snare Thee and hold Thee ever,
In loving wifely ways;
I give Thee a daughter’s welcome,
I give Thee a sister’s praise.
As words and their meaning are linked,
Serving one purpose each,
Be Thou and I so knit, O Lord,
And through me breathe Thy speech.