(Jan 30th to Feb 5th)
Format: Triple
Far-called, our navies melt away; |
This is from “Recessional”. |
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“Am I alone, then, Heavenly Ones? Shall I smooth out my flood lest unhappily I bear away their walls? Will Indra dry my springs in the hills and make me crawl humbly between their wharfs? Shall I bury me in the sand ere I offend?” “And all for the sake of a little iron bar with the fire-carriage atop. Truly, Mother Gunga is always young!” said Ganesh the Elephant. “A child had not spoken more foolishly. Let the dirt dig in the dirt ere it return to the dirt. . |
This is from the colloquy of the Gods in “The Bridge Builders” in The Day’s Work. Mother Gunga is despairing at her failure to destroy the bridge the men have built. But Ganesh insists that it is only for a little while. |
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The M.P. took up his carpet-bag and fled over the seas to his wife. The Patient East dropped her head on her hand and laughed. “After all, what does it matter?” she said. “They will pass away— all my lovers have, I wonder whether I shall be glad or sorry”. |
This is from “The Burden of Nineveh”, a uncollected story which reflects on the folly of the British in imagining that they can change the East. |
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