Page:Karl Gjellerup - The Pilgrim Kamanita - 1911.djvu/188

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XXVIII
ON THE SHORES OF THE HEAVENLY GUNGA

When Kamanita perceived that even here, in the abode of bliss, these memories overshadowed, as with dark and troublous wings, the yet delicate, newly awakened soul of his beloved, he took her by the hand and led her away, guiding their flight to the charming hill on whose slope he had lately lain and watched the games of the floating dancers.

Here they sought a resting-place. Already groves and shrubberies, meadows and hill-slopes were filled with countless floating figures, red, blue, and white. Group after group surrounded them to greet the newly awakened one. And the two mingled in the ranks of the players.

They had been gliding hither and thither for a long time, through the groves, round about the rocks, over the meadows and lotus ponds, wherever the chain of dancers led, when they were suddenly met by the white-robed companion who had formerly called upon Kamanita to face the journey to the Gunga with her. As they held out their hands to one another in the dance, she asked, with a sunny smile—

"Well, hast thou been at the shores of the Gunga yet? Now thou hast a companion, I see."

"Not yet," answered Kamanita.

"What is that?" asked Vasitthi.

And Kamanita told her.

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