On the seashore of endless worlds children meet. The infinite sky is motionless overhead and the restless water is boisterous.
In the poem the children play with sand and empty shells, while merchants, divers and ships go about their serious business at the same shore. It is among the best-loved of Tagore’s English poems.
I have had my invitation to this world’s festival, and thus my life has been blessed.
Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; / Where knowledge is free;
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: / Its loveliness increases; it will never / Pass into nothingness;
All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women merely players;
Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –