In My Lady's Praise Being Poems, Old and New: Written to the Honour of Fanny, Lady Arnold and Now Collected for her Memory: By Sir Edwin Arnold |
 |
|
A.
|
 | In My Lady's Praise |  |
61
A.
[Amber! You shall have Amber beads to bind]
Amber! You shall have Amber beads to bind
Your smooth brown hair—threaded with Lazulite!
I send my minion on swift wings to find
These hidden spoils of Earth for your delight:
Your smooth brown hair—threaded with Lazulite!
I send my minion on swift wings to find
These hidden spoils of Earth for your delight:
And when—round the Madonna's painted head—
You limn aërial backgrounds, do you know
That the soft azures which your pencils spread
Come from this Lazulite—gold-spangled so?
You limn aërial backgrounds, do you know
That the soft azures which your pencils spread
Come from this Lazulite—gold-spangled so?
“Ultramarina,”—those same sea-blue stones—
Dug from dark caverns fringing Baikal's lake—
The lucent airs, and large etherial tones,
And passages of painter's skies do make.
Dug from dark caverns fringing Baikal's lake—
The lucent airs, and large etherial tones,
And passages of painter's skies do make.
I think if you should delve such Lazulite
As hides within my heart—all gold and blue—
The gold of it would make your days seem bright,
The blue of it might arch fair skies for you:
As hides within my heart—all gold and blue—
The gold of it would make your days seem bright,
The blue of it might arch fair skies for you:
62
Well! take or leave! You are too rich to need it;
And love is sorrow—so say all the wise—
Though lovers never yet have deigned to heed it,
Since first your sweet sex cost us Paradise!
And love is sorrow—so say all the wise—
Though lovers never yet have deigned to heed it,
Since first your sweet sex cost us Paradise!
Is Love so sad? This Amber, clear and golden,—
Wept from great trees which, when the woods began,
Waved boughs, it may be, over lovers olden,
Shaded their slumbers, built primeval man
Wept from great trees which, when the woods began,
Waved boughs, it may be, over lovers olden,
Shaded their slumbers, built primeval man
His nuptial bowers: for, see! the bead encloses
Winged things which fluttered in life's goodlihead;
Here is embalmed memory of meadow-roses,
An epitaph on unseen summers dead.
Winged things which fluttered in life's goodlihead;
Here is embalmed memory of meadow-roses,
An epitaph on unseen summers dead.
So, too, for me, the Indian name of Amber
Enshrines the pathos of a Buddhist page:—
Ah, now! no story for a lady's chamber!
Only the fable of some old-world Sage!
Enshrines the pathos of a Buddhist page:—
Ah, now! no story for a lady's chamber!
Only the fable of some old-world Sage!
Yet, you shall hear: she was Suvarna, “Shining,”—
The soft word pictures all the grace we praise
In Beauty's inner beam, subtly combining
Body and Soul, a perfumed lamp whose rays
The soft word pictures all the grace we praise
In Beauty's inner beam, subtly combining
Body and Soul, a perfumed lamp whose rays
63
Gleam dim through alabaster. Legends note us
Her “eighteen perfect points,” the fragrant hair;
The eyes clear-cut as petals of the lotus;
The shapely nose, the little faultless pair
Her “eighteen perfect points,” the fragrant hair;
The eyes clear-cut as petals of the lotus;
The shapely nose, the little faultless pair
Of ears carved shell-wise, and the close-set bosoms
Rounded “like tortoise-shell;” the brown soft arms;
Small hands, fine feet, mouth “red as bimba-blossoms,”
Gait of a pacing roe, form showing charms
Rounded “like tortoise-shell;” the brown soft arms;
Small hands, fine feet, mouth “red as bimba-blossoms,”
Gait of a pacing roe, form showing charms
Like Sachi's, Queen of Heav'n. Lords did adore her,
Ranas and Khans from many wondrous lands:—
Kings came on elephants to kneel before her,
Their kingdoms' jewels in their humbled hands.
Ranas and Khans from many wondrous lands:—
Kings came on elephants to kneel before her,
Their kingdoms' jewels in their humbled hands.
When she would dance it seemed like Music moving,
Visible, living! When she sang, the Rose
Forgot its nightingale! the Koïl loving
Stayed in his midway note to listen close!
Visible, living! When she sang, the Rose
Forgot its nightingale! the Koïl loving
Stayed in his midway note to listen close!
When one had seen Suvarna—says my story—
Fresh from the bath, in robes of gold and red,
Her beauty glittering forth with youth's full glory,
Glad, in her palace, on an ivory bed;—
Fresh from the bath, in robes of gold and red,
Her beauty glittering forth with youth's full glory,
Glad, in her palace, on an ivory bed;—
64
All women seemed her shadows! Still—'tis written—
Lovers were many, but belovëd none:
Not once with Kama's arrow sank she smitten;
This sun-light Lady wearied of the sun!
Lovers were many, but belovëd none:
Not once with Kama's arrow sank she smitten;
This sun-light Lady wearied of the sun!
Then she heard Buddha preach; and fierce upon her
Fell passion for that holiness he taught:
She would “Bhikshûni” live; no heart should own her!
Freed should her soul be, and her footsteps brought
Fell passion for that holiness he taught:
She would “Bhikshûni” live; no heart should own her!
Freed should her soul be, and her footsteps brought
Into the “Noble Path!” So went she lonely
Climbing the hill-side to Lord Buddha's Cave;
Hungering for Rest and Righteousness,—those only—
Thirsting for sweet melodious words which save.
Climbing the hill-side to Lord Buddha's Cave;
Hungering for Rest and Righteousness,—those only—
Thirsting for sweet melodious words which save.
But, on the midmost steep, whose rugged ways
Wounded the rose-red palms of her light feet,
A streamlet brimmed a pool: Suvarna stays
To sit and drink the water cool and sweet.
Wounded the rose-red palms of her light feet,
A streamlet brimmed a pool: Suvarna stays
To sit and drink the water cool and sweet.
Thus, bending in the shadow of the mountain
To dip her hand and sip the crystal wave,
Like a steel mirror the translucent fountain
Back to her gaze her own bright image gave.
To dip her hand and sip the crystal wave,
Like a steel mirror the translucent fountain
Back to her gaze her own bright image gave.
65
There was the braided splendour of her tresses!
There the deep wonder of her large dark eyes!
There the brown neck and breast, made for caresses,
The flower-soft mouth, the shadowed charm which lies
There the deep wonder of her large dark eyes!
There the brown neck and breast, made for caresses,
The flower-soft mouth, the shadowed charm which lies
In curve of nape, and sweep of silken shoulder;
The supple tapering waist, the swelling round
Of hip and shapely limb:—her own beholder
Suvarna marvelled at the form she found.
The supple tapering waist, the swelling round
Of hip and shapely limb:—her own beholder
Suvarna marvelled at the form she found.
“Was I so fair?” she sighed:“Well might they love me,
Rajas and Sirdars! And what days we had,
Good, glorious days! before the ache did move me
To hear this Rishi. Am I sane or mad
Rajas and Sirdars! And what days we had,
Good, glorious days! before the ache did move me
To hear this Rishi. Am I sane or mad
To mount his hill? The Gods have given me beauty
As to the Ketuk-flower they gave perfume;
And gold bands to their bees! Is it not duty
The bee should suck the honey of the bloom?”
As to the Ketuk-flower they gave perfume;
And gold bands to their bees! Is it not duty
The bee should suck the honey of the bloom?”
Therewith her tears welled, falling—pearl by pearl—
Into the pool, which broke its glass with ripples;
Vanished the image! Then the Indian Girl
Tied the silk choli-strings beneath her nipples;
Into the pool, which broke its glass with ripples;
Vanished the image! Then the Indian Girl
Tied the silk choli-strings beneath her nipples;
66
And drew her sari round; and, rising, turned,
Taking the downward path, and softly saying:
“Nay!—for such grace and youth must not be spurned!
I was not made for penance and for praying:
Taking the downward path, and softly saying:
“Nay!—for such grace and youth must not be spurned!
I was not made for penance and for praying:
“Some last, best, lover waits me!” So, she runs
Laughing, adown the slope—distantly hearing
Gay murmurings of the town, and pleasant tones
Of pipe and lute; and feet of hamals bearing
Laughing, adown the slope—distantly hearing
Gay murmurings of the town, and pleasant tones
Of pipe and lute; and feet of hamals bearing
Brides to their bridegrooms, “They who will may tread
The Noble Road,” quoth she, “be mine the valley
Where pleasure lives!” But Buddha overhead—
Calm in his cave—beheld Suvarna's folly;
The Noble Road,” quoth she, “be mine the valley
Where pleasure lives!” But Buddha overhead—
Calm in his cave—beheld Suvarna's folly;
And pitied her; and, pitying, sought to save:
So (saith the tale) by magic utterance stripping
His own form off, assumed the aspect, brave
And winsome, of a Nautch-Girl, featly tripping
So (saith the tale) by magic utterance stripping
His own form off, assumed the aspect, brave
And winsome, of a Nautch-Girl, featly tripping
Along the Damsel's path; more heavenly fair,
Comelier and brighter than Suvarna's brightness;
With tender wistful gaze, and gracious air,
Soft happy smile, and steps of dancing lightness.
Comelier and brighter than Suvarna's brightness;
With tender wistful gaze, and gracious air,
Soft happy smile, and steps of dancing lightness.
67
Amazed, enchanted, “Ah, thou loveliest One!”
Suvarna cries:“Oh, not of Earth, but Heaven!
What is thy name? what errand goest thou on?
Beautiful, perfect, Sister! art thou given
Suvarna cries:“Oh, not of Earth, but Heaven!
What is thy name? what errand goest thou on?
Beautiful, perfect, Sister! art thou given
“To comfort and confirm me? Come with me!”
Answered the stranger,—soft as running water,
Or wood-doves cooing—“Sweet such company!
I am content!” And so Suvarna brought her
Answered the stranger,—soft as running water,
Or wood-doves cooing—“Sweet such company!
I am content!” And so Suvarna brought her
With tender hand in tender hand enlacing,
And hearts close-beating, and commingling eyes,
Far down the hill. As that bright pair went pacing,
Melted with gentle love Suvarna sighs:
And hearts close-beating, and commingling eyes,
Far down the hill. As that bright pair went pacing,
Melted with gentle love Suvarna sighs:
“Shiva! how fair thou art! th' Asoka's honey
Draws not the sunbird as thou drawest me!
More than to list the wisdom of the Muni
It were to rest thy head upon my knee,
Draws not the sunbird as thou drawest me!
More than to list the wisdom of the Muni
It were to rest thy head upon my knee,
“And weave thy waist a girdle with mine arms,
And press a thousand times thy mouth of wonder:
Dear! let us sit—the sun grows hot! thy charms
Ask shade, like palm-buds in the month of thunder!”
And press a thousand times thy mouth of wonder:
Dear! let us sit—the sun grows hot! thy charms
Ask shade, like palm-buds in the month of thunder!”
68
So sate they down; and, locked in close embraces
Fed on each other's fairness—love for love—
Hands joined, arms twined, locks intermixed, soft faces
Nestled together like a dove with dove:
Fed on each other's fairness—love for love—
Hands joined, arms twined, locks intermixed, soft faces
Nestled together like a dove with dove:
Till, fondling her to rest, her silk lids kissing,
Toying with taper hands, and smooth dark skin,
Suvarna's self sank into sleep, yet pressing
That beauteous maid her circling arms within.
Toying with taper hands, and smooth dark skin,
Suvarna's self sank into sleep, yet pressing
That beauteous maid her circling arms within.
All the fierce noon and afternoon they slumber;
At eve the Indian girl, starting, awoke:
I said this was no tale for lady's chamber!
Ah, can you bear to hear what terror broke
At eve the Indian girl, starting, awoke:
I said this was no tale for lady's chamber!
Ah, can you bear to hear what terror broke
On sad Suvarna's gaze? Clasped to her heart
A festering corpse tainted the air; its bones
Ridged the shrunk flesh; the putrid inward part
Blotched it with green and purple; cold as stones
A festering corpse tainted the air; its bones
Ridged the shrunk flesh; the putrid inward part
Blotched it with green and purple; cold as stones
Glared its glazed orbs; all the fair grace was fled
Like gold fruit mouldered, or a lily's crown
Withering to foulness! Oh, that awful Dead!—
Suvarna flung her horrid playmate down,
Like gold fruit mouldered, or a lily's crown
Withering to foulness! Oh, that awful Dead!—
Suvarna flung her horrid playmate down,
69
And shrieked, veiling her eyes; and ran a space,
Wringing her palms. Then, nigh at hand, she saw
Lord Buddha looking on her tearful face
With countenance of majesty and awe.
Wringing her palms. Then, nigh at hand, she saw
Lord Buddha looking on her tearful face
With countenance of majesty and awe.
“Daughter!” spake he, “for this thing thou hast left
The path which should have led thee unto bliss!
Lo! as the flower fades and the fruit is reft,
Love ends in parting, Beauty fails to this!
The path which should have led thee unto bliss!
Lo! as the flower fades and the fruit is reft,
Love ends in parting, Beauty fails to this!
“As she was, so shalt thou be, and thy kind!
Nay, if it chagrined thee to kiss a skull,
Be done with Love! always—red lips behind—
Grin those white jaws for flames of funeral!
Nay, if it chagrined thee to kiss a skull,
Be done with Love! always—red lips behind—
Grin those white jaws for flames of funeral!
“And worse things be than funeral pyres, or parting;
The Spirit, sick with passion and sweet pain,
Flits back from Death to Life for direr starting
On Earth's wild wheel, and builds its house again:
The Spirit, sick with passion and sweet pain,
Flits back from Death to Life for direr starting
On Earth's wild wheel, and builds its house again:
“Since, what thou art, thou makest! Trishna breeds it!
Thine is the prison, and the gaoler thou!
The snake which poisons man his own heart feeds it;
Yet—if thou wilt—wake from this madness now,
Thine is the prison, and the gaoler thou!
The snake which poisons man his own heart feeds it;
Yet—if thou wilt—wake from this madness now,
70
“Vanquish thy longings! Come! there is no sorrow
Like Pleasure; no delight like passions slain!
But if thou lust for life the stern To-morrow
Will find thee lost in thy self-chosen gain,
Like Pleasure; no delight like passions slain!
But if thou lust for life the stern To-morrow
Will find thee lost in thy self-chosen gain,
“As the grey crane dies by the dried-up lake
Where she laid foolish eggs. Meditate Truth!
Enter the Noble Way! Wise barter make
For blest Nirvâna with thy grace and youth!”
Where she laid foolish eggs. Meditate Truth!
Enter the Noble Way! Wise barter make
For blest Nirvâna with thy grace and youth!”
Then did Suvarna, with impatient hand,
Tear from her neck the amber beads and gold;
Shook down her tresses from their jewelled band,
And cut, and cast them from her; wild and bold;
Tear from her neck the amber beads and gold;
Shook down her tresses from their jewelled band,
And cut, and cast them from her; wild and bold;
And meekly followed Buddh. Was that done well?
Ah, Love! love is so lovely, who can say?
I only know this life! if Love be Hell
Then Hate is Heaven! Let us not go her way!
Ah, Love! love is so lovely, who can say?
I only know this life! if Love be Hell
Then Hate is Heaven! Let us not go her way!
| In My Lady's Praise | |