THE TOKEN
"Let the soldiers retire now to their camp," said Man Singh. "Time presses, and the business of the morning claims our attention."
"Your orders, mighty Raja, shall be obeyed," said Nobo Kumar. "Yet fain would this humble servant amuse these Imperial officers who have graced our town by their presence with some humble entertainment which poor Bengal can provide. Our land is rich in poetry and song, and fain would a humble singer recite his verses, if it pleases the Ruler of Bengal."
"I can refuse you nothing, Nobo Kumar. You have been a loyal subject of the great Emperor, and have faithfully discharged the duty which Raja Todar Mull imposed upon you. Little do we Western men know of your softer tongue; and yet methinks we can follow your simple songs and beautiful poetry. Let the poet appear. We will give him a hearing."
"Little claim has he to the name of poet," rejoined Nobo Kumar. "He is an exile from his home at Burdwan, and lives in the jungles of Bankura. But the Goddess Chandi has touched his heart, and of Chandi, our Gracious Mother, he sings."
The poet sang of Chandi and her favours to men by sea and by land. He sang of the merchant who had sailed from Bengal with his goods and spices, who was shipwrecked in the ocean and was kept a prisoner in Ceylon. His little boy grew up to be a man, and heard from his poor mother of a father he had never known. His young heart was strong with love, and he sailed over the ocean to rescue him. The Goddess Chandi helped the brave young man,
87
