Sonett-Forum

Rabindranath Datta
Roby Datta
(1883–1918) Indien


Sir Asutosh Mookerjee.

He rose, a meteor, in the midst of men
To awe the world with splendour: many a star,
That might in other skies have shone afar,
Beside him paled, and swam not into ken.

His lore with glory fill'd the quarters then,
And won him such a name as nought could mar:
He fought, and gain'd success without a scar,
A valiant knight, whose weapon was his pen.

Good-temper'd, even-minded, patient, wise,
He lent his aid wherever he could meet
A man of promise that deserved to rise:

In dealing justice fairly, none could beat
His breadth of view, and none the solemn guise
In which all fine distinctions he would greet.




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Indians at the Front.

Fight for the cause of Britain and of right,
Ye Indians brave, and lay the tyrant low,
A 'cultured' yet at heart a savage foe,
That dares astound the world with ruthless might.

For peace, for commerce and for freedom fight,
Fight to relieve a hapless nation's woe,
That in the cause of all the world did throw
Her lot in with your king in terror's spite.

Your country needs no tyrant's lip-deep lore
Her old enlightenment to vindicate,
That placed her high among the states of yore:

For valour India always has been great,
And ye are India's sons, and—what is more—
Fit partners of a world-embracing State.



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