The Rao Of Ilore

A poem by Violet Nicolson, Lawrence Hope, Adela Florence Cory Nicolson (1865 – 1904)

I was sold to the Rao of Ilore,

Slender and tall was he.

When his litter carried him down the street

I peeped through the thatch to see.

Ah, the eyes of the Rao of Ilore,

My lover that was to be!

The hair that lay on his youthful brow

Was curled like an ocean wave;

His eyes were lit with a tender smile,

But his lips were soft and grave.

For sake of these things I was still with joy

When the silver coins were paid,

And they took me up to the Palace gates,

Delighted and unafraid.

Ah, the eyes of the Rao of Ilore,

May never their brilliance fade!

So near was I to the crown of life!

Ten thousand times, alas!

The Diwan leant from the latticed hall,

Looked down and saw me pass.

He begged for me from the Rao of Ilore,

Who answered, “She is thine,

Thou wert ever more than a father to me,

And thy desires are mine.”

Ah, the eyes of the Rao of Ilore

That never had looked in mine!

My years were spent in the Diwan’s Courts,

My youth died down that day.

For sake of thine own content of mind

My lost beloved, I pray

That never my Lord a love may know

Like that he threw away.

Ah, the eyes of the Rao of Ilore,

Who threw my life away!

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Poems in English 

• The Tame Bird Was In A Cage by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Sun Of The First Day by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Portrait — English Translation by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Music Of The Rains – English Translation by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Merchant by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Lost Star — English Translation by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Last Bargain by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Kiss by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Kiss — English Translation by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Home by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Hero — English Translation by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Golden Boat by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener XXVII: Trust Love by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener XXVI: What Comes From Your Willing Hands by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener XXIX: Speak To Me My Love by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener XI: Come As You Are by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener LXXIX: I Often Wonder by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener LVII: I Plucked Your Flower by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Gardener LV: It Was Mid-Day by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore
• The Call Of The Far — English Translation by Rabindranath Tagore by Rabindranath Tagore

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