The Collected Plays. Rabindranath Tagore

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СКАЧАТЬ We will not grope in the maze of our mind.

       We flow with the flood of things, from the mountain to the sea,

       We will never be lost in the desert sand,

       Never.

      We can tell, by his looks, that Dada will some day go to that Old Man, to receive his lessons.

      Leader

      Which Old Man?

      The Old Man of the line of Adam.

      He dwells in a cave, and never thinks of dying.

      Leader

      Where did you learn about him?

      Oh, every one talks about him, And it is in the books also.

      Leader

      What does he look like?

      Some say he is white, like the skull of a dead man. And some say he is dark, like the socket of a skeleton's eye.

      But haven't you heard any news of him, Leader?

      Leader

      I don't believe in him at all.

      Well, that goes entirely against current opinion. That Old Man is more existent than anything else. He lives within the ribs of creation.

      According to our Pundit, it is we who have no existence. You can't be certain whether we are, or are not.

      Chandra

      We? Oh, we are too brand new altogether. We haven't yet got our credentials to prove that we exist.

      Leader

      Have you really gone and opened communication with the Pundits?

      Why? What harm is there in that, Leader?

      Leader

      You will become pale, like the white mist in autumn. Even the least colour of blood will disappear from your mind. I have a suggestion.

      What, Leader? What?

      Leader

      You were looking out for a play?

      Yes, yes, we got quite frantic about it.

      We thought it over so vigorously, that people had to run to the King's court to lodge a complaint.

      Leader

      Well, I can suggest a play which will be new.

      What?—What?—Tell us.

      Leader

      Go and capture the Old Man.

      That is new, no doubt, but we very much doubt if it's a play.

      Leader

      I am sure you won't be able to do it.

      Not do it? We shall.

      Leader

      No, never.

      Well then, suppose we do capture him, what will you give us?

      Leader

      I shall accept you as my preceptor.

      Preceptor! You want to make us grey, and cold, and old, before our time.

      Leader

      Then, what do you want me to do?

      If we capture him, then we shall take away your leadership.

      Leader

      That will be a great relief to me. You have made all my bones out of joint already. Very well, then it's all settled?

      Yes, settled. We shall bring him to you by the next full moon of Spring.

      But what are we going to do with him?

      Leader

      You shall let him join in your Spring Festival.

      Oh no, that will be outrageous. Then the mango flowers will run to seed at once.

      And all the cuckoos will become owls.

      And the bees will go about reciting Sanskrit verses, making the air hum with m's and n's.

      Leader

      And your skull will be so top-heavy with prudence, that it will be difficult for you to keep on your feet.

      How awful!

      Leader

      And you will have rheumatics in all your joints.

      How awful!

      Leader

      And you will become your own elder brothers, pulling your own ears to set yourselves right.

      How awful!

      Leader

      And——

      No more "ands." We are ready to surrender.

      We will abandon our game of capturing the Old Man.

      We will put it off till the cold weather. In this Springtime, your company will be enough for us.

      Leader

      Ah, I see! You have already got the chill of the Old Man in your bones.

      Why? What are the symptoms?

      Leader

      You have no enthusiasm. You back out at the very start. Why don't you make a trial?

      Very well. Agreed. Come on.

      Let us go after the Old Man. We will pluck him out, like a grey hair, wherever we find him.

      Leader

      But the Old Man is an adept in the business of plucking out. His best weapon is the hoe.

      You needn't try to frighten us like that. When we are out for adventure, we must leave behind all fears, all quatrains, all Pundits, and all Scriptures.

      (They sing.)

      We are out on our way

       And we fear not the Robber, the Old Man.

       Our path is straight, it is broad,

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