為您閑散的日子服務。

我要保持您晨興散步的草徑清爽新鮮，您每一移步將有甘于就死的繁花以贊頌來歡迎您的雙足。

我將在七葉樹的枝間推送您的秋千；向晚的月亮將掙扎著從葉隙里吻您的衣裙。

我將在您床邊的燈盞里添滿香油，我將用檀香和番紅花膏在您腳墊上涂畫上美妙的花樣。

女王

你要什么酬報呢？

仆人

只要您允許我像握著嫩柔的菡萏一般地握住您的小拳，把花串套上您的纖腕；允許我用無憂花的紅汁來染您的腳底，以親吻來拂去那偶然留在那里的塵埃。

女王

你的祈求被接受了，我的仆人，你將是我花園里的園丁。

SERVANT

Have mercy upon your servant, my queen!

QUEEN

The assembly is over and my servants are all gone. Why do you come at this late hour?

SERVANT

When you have finished with others, that is my time.

I come to ask what remains for your last servant to do.

QUEEN

What can you expect when it is too late?

SERVANT

Make me the gardener of your flower garden.

QUEEN

What folly is this?

SERVANT

I will give up my other work.

I throw my swords and lances down in the dust. Do not send me to distant courts; do not bid me undertake new conquests. But make me the gardener of your flower garden.

QUEEN

What will your duties be?

SERVANT

The service of your idle days.

I will keep fresh the grassy path where you walk in the morning, where your feet will be greeted with praise at every step by the flowers eager for death.

I will swing you in a swing among the branches of the saptaparna, where the early evening moon will struggle to kiss your skirt through the leaves.

I will replenish with scented oil the lamp that burns by your bedside, and decorate your footstool with sandal and saffron paste in wondrous designs.

QUEEN

What will you have for your reward?

SERVANT

To be allowed to hold your little fists like tender lotusbuds and slip flower-chains over your wrists; to tinge the soles of your feet with the red juice of ashoka petals and kiss away the speck of dust that may chance to linger there.

QUEEN

Your prayers are granted, my servant, you will be the gardener of my flower garden.