_Minstrel_

I hear with my whole being.

_Chandra_

They all started up with fear, when I asked about the Old Man.

Only this Minstrel seemed to have no fear. I suppose because he cannot see, he is not afraid.

_Minstrel_

Do you know why I have no fear? When the sun of my life set, and I became blind, the dark night revealed all its lights, and, from that day forward, I have been no more afraid of the dark.

Then let us go. The evening star is up.

_Minstrel_

Let me sing, and walk on as I sing, and you follow me. I cannot find my way, if I do not sing.

What do you mean?

_Minstrel_

My songs precede, I follow.

(_He sings._)

_Gently, my friend, gently walk to your silent chamber.

I know not the way, I have not the light, Dark is my life and my world.

I have only the sound of your steps to guide me in this wilderness._

_Gently, my friend, gently walk along the dark sh.o.r.e.

Let the hint of the way come in whisper, Through the night, in the April breeze.

I have only the scent of your garland to guide me in this wilderness._

ACT IV

SONG-PRELUDE

[_There enter a troupe of young things, and they introduce themselves in a song as follows:_]

THE SONG OF RETURNING YOUTH

_Again and again we say "Good-bye,"

To come back again and again.

Oh, who are you?

I am the flower vakul.

And who are you?

I am the flower parul.

And who are these?

We are mango blossoms landed on the sh.o.r.e of light.

We laugh and take leave when the time beckons us.

We rush into the arms of the ever-returning.

But who are you?

I am the flower shimul.

And who are you?

I am the kamini bunch, And who are these?

We are the jostling crowd of new leaves._

[_Winter is revealed as Spring and answers to the questions put by the chorus of young things._]

THE SONG OF BURDENS DROPPED

_Do you own defeat at the hand of youth?

Yes.

Have you met at last the ageless Old, who ever grows new?

Yes.

Have you come out of the walls that crumble and bury those whom they shelter?

Yes._

(_Another group sings._)

_Do you own defeat at the hands of life?

Yes.

Have you pa.s.sed through death to stand at last face to face with the Deathless?

Yes.

Have you dealt the blow to the demon dust, that swallows your city Immortal?

Yes._

(_Spring's flowers surround him and sing._)

THE SONG OF FRESH BEAUTY

_We waited by the wayside counting moments till you appeared in the April morning.

You come as a soldier-boy winning life at death's gate,-- Oh, the wonder of it.

We listen amazed at the music of your young voice.

Your mantle is blown in the wind like the fragrance of the Spring.

The white spray of_ malati _flowers in your hair shines like star-cl.u.s.ters.

A fire burns through the veil of your smile,-- Oh, the wonder of it.

And who knows where your arrows are hidden which smite death?_

(_Night_)