The poetical works of Sir William Jones With the life of the author ... in two volumes |
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| II. |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| TALES. |
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 | The poetical works of Sir William Jones |  |
147
TALES.
THE PALACE OF FORTUNE:
AN INDIAN TALE.
Mild was the vernal gale, and calm the day,
When Maia near a crystal fountain lay,
Young Maia, fairest of the blue-eyed maids,
That rov'd at noon in Tibet's musky shades;
But, haply, wandering through the fields of air,
Some fiend had whisper'd—Maia, thou art fair!
Hence swelling pride had fill'd her simple breast,
And rising passions robb'd her mind of rest;
In courts and glittering towers she wish'd to dwell,
And scorn'd her laboring parent's lowly cell.
And now, as gazing o'er the glassy stream,
She saw her blooming cheek's reflected beam,
Her tresses brighter than the morning sky,
And the mild radiance of her sparkling eye,
Low sighs and trickling tears by turns she stole,
And thus discharg'd the anguish of her soul:
‘Why glow those cheeks, if unadmir'd they glow?
‘Why flow those tresses, if unprais'd they flow?
‘Why dart those eyes their liquid ray serene,
‘Unfelt their influence, and their light unseen?
‘Ye heavens! was that love-breathing bosom made
‘To warm dull groves, and cheer the lonely glade?
‘Ah, no: those blushes, that enchanting face,
‘Some tap'stried hall, or gilded bower, might grace;
‘Might deck the scenes, where love and pleasure reign,
‘And fire with amorous flames the youthful train.’
When Maia near a crystal fountain lay,
Young Maia, fairest of the blue-eyed maids,
That rov'd at noon in Tibet's musky shades;
But, haply, wandering through the fields of air,
Some fiend had whisper'd—Maia, thou art fair!
Hence swelling pride had fill'd her simple breast,
And rising passions robb'd her mind of rest;
In courts and glittering towers she wish'd to dwell,
And scorn'd her laboring parent's lowly cell.
And now, as gazing o'er the glassy stream,
She saw her blooming cheek's reflected beam,
Her tresses brighter than the morning sky,
And the mild radiance of her sparkling eye,
Low sighs and trickling tears by turns she stole,
And thus discharg'd the anguish of her soul:
‘Why glow those cheeks, if unadmir'd they glow?
‘Why flow those tresses, if unprais'd they flow?
148
‘Unfelt their influence, and their light unseen?
‘Ye heavens! was that love-breathing bosom made
‘To warm dull groves, and cheer the lonely glade?
‘Ah, no: those blushes, that enchanting face,
‘Some tap'stried hall, or gilded bower, might grace;
‘Might deck the scenes, where love and pleasure reign,
‘And fire with amorous flames the youthful train.’
While thus she spoke, a sudden blaze of light
Shot through the clouds, and struck her dazzled sight.
She rais'd her head, astonish'd, to the skies,
And veil'd with trembling hands her aching eyes;
When through the yielding air she saw from far
A goddess gliding in a golden car,
That soon descended on the flowery lawn,
By two fair yokes of starry peacocks drawn:
A thousand nymphs with many a sprightly glance
Form'd round the radiant wheels an airy dance,
Celestial shapes! in fluid light array'd;
Like twinkling stars their beamy sandals play'd;
Their lucid mantles glitter'd in the sun,
(Webs half so bright the silkworm never spun),
Transparent robes, that bore the rainbow's hue,
And finer than the nets of pearly dew
That morning spreads o'er every opening flow'r,
When sportive summer decks his bridal bow'r.
The queen herself, too fair for mortal sight,
Sat in the centre of encircling light.
Soon with soft touch she rais'd the trembling maid,
And by her side in silent slumber laid:
Straight the gay birds display'd their spangled train,
And flew refulgent through th'aërial plain;
The fairy band their shining pinions spread,
And, as they rose, fresh gales of sweetness shed;
Fann'd with their flowing skirts, the sky was mild;
And heaven's blue fields with brighter radiance smil'd.
Shot through the clouds, and struck her dazzled sight.
She rais'd her head, astonish'd, to the skies,
And veil'd with trembling hands her aching eyes;
When through the yielding air she saw from far
A goddess gliding in a golden car,
That soon descended on the flowery lawn,
By two fair yokes of starry peacocks drawn:
A thousand nymphs with many a sprightly glance
Form'd round the radiant wheels an airy dance,
Celestial shapes! in fluid light array'd;
Like twinkling stars their beamy sandals play'd;
Their lucid mantles glitter'd in the sun,
(Webs half so bright the silkworm never spun),
Transparent robes, that bore the rainbow's hue,
And finer than the nets of pearly dew
That morning spreads o'er every opening flow'r,
When sportive summer decks his bridal bow'r.
149
Sat in the centre of encircling light.
Soon with soft touch she rais'd the trembling maid,
And by her side in silent slumber laid:
Straight the gay birds display'd their spangled train,
And flew refulgent through th'aërial plain;
The fairy band their shining pinions spread,
And, as they rose, fresh gales of sweetness shed;
Fann'd with their flowing skirts, the sky was mild;
And heaven's blue fields with brighter radiance smil'd.
Now in a garden deck'd with verdant bow'rs
The glittering car descends on bending flow'rs:
The goddess still with looks divinely fair
Surveys the sleeping object of her care;
Then o'er her cheek her magic finger lays,
Soft as the gale that o'er a violet plays,
And thus in sounds, that favor'd mortals hear,
She gently whispers in her ravish'd ear:
The glittering car descends on bending flow'rs:
The goddess still with looks divinely fair
Surveys the sleeping object of her care;
Then o'er her cheek her magic finger lays,
Soft as the gale that o'er a violet plays,
And thus in sounds, that favor'd mortals hear,
She gently whispers in her ravish'd ear:
‘Awake, sweet maid, and view this charming scene
‘For ever beauteous, and for ever green;
‘Here living rills of purest nectar flow
‘O'er meads that with unfading flowerets glow;
‘Here amorous gales their scented wings display,
‘Mov'd by the breath of ever-blooming May;
‘Here in the lap of pleasure shalt thou rest,
‘Our lov'd companion, and our honor'd guest.’
The damsel hears the heav'nly notes distil,
Like melting snow, or like a vernal rill.
She lifts her head, and, on her arm reclin'd,
Drinks the sweet accents in her grateful mind:
On all around she turns her roving eyes,
And views the splendid scene with glad surprise;
Fresh lawns, and sunny banks, and roseate bow'rs,
Hills white with flocks, and meadows gemm'd with flow'rs;
Cool shades, a sure defence from summer's ray,
And silver brooks, (where wanton damsels play,)
Which with soft notes their dimpled crystal roll'd
O'er color'd shells and sand of native gold;
A rising fountain play'd from every stream,
Smil'd as it rose, and cast a transient gleam,
Then, gently falling in a vocal show'r,
Bath'd every shrub, and sprinkled every flow'r,
That on the banks, like many a lovely bride,
View'd in the liquid glass their blushing pride;
Whilst on each branch, with purple blossoms hung,
The sportful birds their joyous descant sung.
‘For ever beauteous, and for ever green;
‘Here living rills of purest nectar flow
‘O'er meads that with unfading flowerets glow;
‘Here amorous gales their scented wings display,
‘Mov'd by the breath of ever-blooming May;
‘Here in the lap of pleasure shalt thou rest,
‘Our lov'd companion, and our honor'd guest.’
150
Like melting snow, or like a vernal rill.
She lifts her head, and, on her arm reclin'd,
Drinks the sweet accents in her grateful mind:
On all around she turns her roving eyes,
And views the splendid scene with glad surprise;
Fresh lawns, and sunny banks, and roseate bow'rs,
Hills white with flocks, and meadows gemm'd with flow'rs;
Cool shades, a sure defence from summer's ray,
And silver brooks, (where wanton damsels play,)
Which with soft notes their dimpled crystal roll'd
O'er color'd shells and sand of native gold;
A rising fountain play'd from every stream,
Smil'd as it rose, and cast a transient gleam,
Then, gently falling in a vocal show'r,
Bath'd every shrub, and sprinkled every flow'r,
That on the banks, like many a lovely bride,
View'd in the liquid glass their blushing pride;
Whilst on each branch, with purple blossoms hung,
The sportful birds their joyous descant sung.
While Maia, thus entranc'd in sweet delight,
With each gay object fed her eager sight,
The goddess mildly caught her willing hand,
And led her trembling o'er the flow'ry land;
Soon she beheld where, through an opening glade,
A spacious lake its clear expanse display'd;
In mazy curls, the flowing jasper wav'd
O'er its smooth bed, with polish'd agate pav'd;
And on a rock of ice, by magic rais'd,
High in the midst a gorgeous palace blaz'd;
The sunbeams on the gilded portals glanc'd,
Play'd on the spires, and on the turrets danc'd:
To four bright gates four ivory bridges led,
With pearls illumin'd, and with roses spread:
And now, more radiant than the morning sun,
Her easy way the gliding goddess won;
Still by her hand she held the fearful maid,
And, as she pass'd, the fairies homage paid:
They enter'd, strait, the sumptuous palace-hall,
Where silken tapestry emblaz'd the wall,
Refulgent tissue, of an heavenly woof;
And gems unnumber'd sparkled on the roof,
On whose blue arch the flaming diamonds play'd,
As on a sky with living stars inlay'd:
Of precious diadems a regal store,
With globes and sceptres, strew'd the porphyry floor;
Rich vests of eastern kings around were spread,
And glittering zones a starry lustre shed:
But Maia most admir'd the pearly strings,
Gay bracelets, golden chains, and sparkling rings.
With each gay object fed her eager sight,
The goddess mildly caught her willing hand,
And led her trembling o'er the flow'ry land;
Soon she beheld where, through an opening glade,
A spacious lake its clear expanse display'd;
In mazy curls, the flowing jasper wav'd
O'er its smooth bed, with polish'd agate pav'd;
151
High in the midst a gorgeous palace blaz'd;
The sunbeams on the gilded portals glanc'd,
Play'd on the spires, and on the turrets danc'd:
To four bright gates four ivory bridges led,
With pearls illumin'd, and with roses spread:
And now, more radiant than the morning sun,
Her easy way the gliding goddess won;
Still by her hand she held the fearful maid,
And, as she pass'd, the fairies homage paid:
They enter'd, strait, the sumptuous palace-hall,
Where silken tapestry emblaz'd the wall,
Refulgent tissue, of an heavenly woof;
And gems unnumber'd sparkled on the roof,
On whose blue arch the flaming diamonds play'd,
As on a sky with living stars inlay'd:
Of precious diadems a regal store,
With globes and sceptres, strew'd the porphyry floor;
Rich vests of eastern kings around were spread,
And glittering zones a starry lustre shed:
But Maia most admir'd the pearly strings,
Gay bracelets, golden chains, and sparkling rings.
High, in the centre of the palace, shone,
Suspended in mid-air, an opal throne:
To this the queen ascends, with royal pride,
And sets the favor'd damsel by her side.
Around the throne, in mystic order, stand
The fairy train, and wait her high command:
When thus she speaks: (the maid attentive sips
Each word that flows, like nectar, from her lips.)
Suspended in mid-air, an opal throne:
To this the queen ascends, with royal pride,
And sets the favor'd damsel by her side.
Around the throne, in mystic order, stand
The fairy train, and wait her high command:
152
Each word that flows, like nectar, from her lips.)
‘Favorite of heaven, my much lov'd Maia, know,
‘From me all joys, all earthly blessings, flow:
‘Me suppliant men imperial Fortune call,
‘The mighty empress of yon rolling ball:’
(She rais'd her finger, and the wondering maid,
At distance hung, the dusky globe survey'd;
Saw the round earth with foaming oceans vein'd,
And laboring crowds on mountain tops sustain'd.)
‘To me has fate the pleasing task assign'd,
‘To rule the various thoughts of humankind;
‘To catch each rising wish, each ardent prayer,
‘And some to grant, and some to waste in air.
‘Know further,—as I rang'd the crystal sky,
‘I saw thee near the murmuring fountain lie;
‘Mark'd the rough storm that gather'd in thy breast,
‘And knew what care thy joyless soul opprest.
‘Strait I resolv'd to bring thee quick relief,
‘Ease every weight, and soften every grief;
‘If in this court contented thou canst live,
‘And taste the joys these happy gardens give:—
‘But fill thy mind with vain desires no more,
‘And view without a wish yon shining store.
‘Soon shall a numerous train before me bend,
‘And kneeling votaries my shrine attend;
‘Warn'd by their empty vanities beware,
‘And scorn the folly of each human prayer.’
She said; and strait a damsel of her train
With tender fingers touch'd a golden chain.
Now a soft bell delighted Maia hears,
That sweetly trembles on her listening ears;
Through the calm air the melting numbers float,
And wanton echo lengthens every note.
Soon, through the dome, a mingled hum arose,
Like the swift stream that o'er a valley flows;
Now louder still it grew, and still more loud,
As distant thunder breaks the bursting cloud:
Through the four portals rush'd a various throng,
That like a wintry torrent pour'd along:
A crowd, of every tongue and every hue,
Toward the bright throne, with eager rapture, flew.
A lovely stripling stepp'd before the rest
With hasty pace, and tow'rd the goddess prest;
His mien was graceful, and his looks were mild,
And in his eye celestial sweetness smil'd:
Youth's purple glow, and beauty's rosy beam,
O'er his smooth cheeks diffus'd a lively gleam;
The floating ringlets of his musky hair
Wav'd on the bosom of the wanton air:
With modest grace, the goddess he addrest,
And, thoughtless, thus preferr'd his fond request:
‘From me all joys, all earthly blessings, flow:
‘Me suppliant men imperial Fortune call,
‘The mighty empress of yon rolling ball:’
(She rais'd her finger, and the wondering maid,
At distance hung, the dusky globe survey'd;
Saw the round earth with foaming oceans vein'd,
And laboring crowds on mountain tops sustain'd.)
‘To me has fate the pleasing task assign'd,
‘To rule the various thoughts of humankind;
‘To catch each rising wish, each ardent prayer,
‘And some to grant, and some to waste in air.
‘Know further,—as I rang'd the crystal sky,
‘I saw thee near the murmuring fountain lie;
‘Mark'd the rough storm that gather'd in thy breast,
‘And knew what care thy joyless soul opprest.
‘Strait I resolv'd to bring thee quick relief,
‘Ease every weight, and soften every grief;
‘If in this court contented thou canst live,
‘And taste the joys these happy gardens give:—
‘But fill thy mind with vain desires no more,
‘And view without a wish yon shining store.
‘Soon shall a numerous train before me bend,
‘And kneeling votaries my shrine attend;
‘Warn'd by their empty vanities beware,
‘And scorn the folly of each human prayer.’
153
With tender fingers touch'd a golden chain.
Now a soft bell delighted Maia hears,
That sweetly trembles on her listening ears;
Through the calm air the melting numbers float,
And wanton echo lengthens every note.
Soon, through the dome, a mingled hum arose,
Like the swift stream that o'er a valley flows;
Now louder still it grew, and still more loud,
As distant thunder breaks the bursting cloud:
Through the four portals rush'd a various throng,
That like a wintry torrent pour'd along:
A crowd, of every tongue and every hue,
Toward the bright throne, with eager rapture, flew.
A lovely stripling stepp'd before the rest
With hasty pace, and tow'rd the goddess prest;
His mien was graceful, and his looks were mild,
And in his eye celestial sweetness smil'd:
Youth's purple glow, and beauty's rosy beam,
O'er his smooth cheeks diffus'd a lively gleam;
The floating ringlets of his musky hair
Wav'd on the bosom of the wanton air:
With modest grace, the goddess he addrest,
And, thoughtless, thus preferr'd his fond request:
‘Queen of the world! whose wide-extended sway,
‘Gay youth, firm manhood, and cold age obey,
‘Grant me, while life's fresh blooming roses smile,
‘The day with varied pleasures to beguile.
‘Let me on beds of dewy flowers recline,
‘And quaff, with glowing lips, the sparkling wine;
‘Grant me to feed on beauty's rifled charms,
‘And clasp a willing damsel in my arms,—
‘Her bosom, fairer than a hill of snow,
‘And gently bounding like a playful roe:
‘Her lips, more fragrant than the summer air;
‘And sweet as Scythian musk, her hyacinthine hair;
‘Let new delights each dancing hour employ,
‘Sport follow sport, and joy succeed to joy.’
‘Gay youth, firm manhood, and cold age obey,
‘Grant me, while life's fresh blooming roses smile,
‘The day with varied pleasures to beguile.
154
‘And quaff, with glowing lips, the sparkling wine;
‘Grant me to feed on beauty's rifled charms,
‘And clasp a willing damsel in my arms,—
‘Her bosom, fairer than a hill of snow,
‘And gently bounding like a playful roe:
‘Her lips, more fragrant than the summer air;
‘And sweet as Scythian musk, her hyacinthine hair;
‘Let new delights each dancing hour employ,
‘Sport follow sport, and joy succeed to joy.’
The goddess grants the simple youth's request,
And, mildly, thus accosts her lovely guest:
‘On that smooth mirror, full of magic light,
‘Awhile, dear Maia, fix thy wandering sight.’
She looks; and in th'enchanted crystal sees
A bower o'er-canopied with tufted trees:
The wanton stripling lies beneath the shade;
And, by his side, reclines a blooming maid;
O'er her fair limbs a silken mantle flows,
Through which her youthful beauty softly glows,
And, part conceal'd and part disclos'd to sight,
Through the thin texture casts a ruddy light;
As the ripe clusters of the mantling vine
Beneath the verdant foliage, faintly, shine,
And, fearing to be view'd by envious day,
Their glowing tints unwillingly display.
And, mildly, thus accosts her lovely guest:
‘On that smooth mirror, full of magic light,
‘Awhile, dear Maia, fix thy wandering sight.’
She looks; and in th'enchanted crystal sees
A bower o'er-canopied with tufted trees:
The wanton stripling lies beneath the shade;
And, by his side, reclines a blooming maid;
O'er her fair limbs a silken mantle flows,
Through which her youthful beauty softly glows,
And, part conceal'd and part disclos'd to sight,
Through the thin texture casts a ruddy light;
As the ripe clusters of the mantling vine
Beneath the verdant foliage, faintly, shine,
And, fearing to be view'd by envious day,
Their glowing tints unwillingly display.
The youth, while joy sits sparkling in his eyes,
Pants on her neck, and on her bosom dies;
From her smooth cheek nectareous dew he sips,
And all his soul comes breathing to his lips.
But Maia turns her modest eyes away,
And blushes to behold their amorous play.
Pants on her neck, and on her bosom dies;
155
And all his soul comes breathing to his lips.
But Maia turns her modest eyes away,
And blushes to behold their amorous play.
She looks again; and sees, with sad surprise,
On the clear glass far different scenes arise:
The bower, which late outshone the rosy morn,
O'erhung with weeds she saw, and rough with thorn;
With sting of asps, the leafless plants were wreath'd;
And curling adders gales of venom breath'd:—
Low sat the stripling on the faded ground;
And, in a mournful knot, his arms were bound;
His eyes, that shot before a sunny beam,
Now scarcely shed a saddening, dying gleam,
Faint as a glimm'ring taper's wasted light,
Or a dull ray that streaks the cloudy night:—
His crystal vase was on the pavement roll'd,
And from the bank was fall'n his cup of gold;
From which, th'envenom'd dregs of deadly hue
Flow'd on the ground, in streams of baleful dew,
And, slowly stealing through the wither'd bow'r,
Poison'd each plant, and blasted every flow'r:
Fled were his slaves, and fled his yielding fair,
And each gay phantom was dissolv'd in air;
Whilst in their place was left a ruthless train,
Despair, and grief, remorse, and raging pain.
On the clear glass far different scenes arise:
The bower, which late outshone the rosy morn,
O'erhung with weeds she saw, and rough with thorn;
With sting of asps, the leafless plants were wreath'd;
And curling adders gales of venom breath'd:—
Low sat the stripling on the faded ground;
And, in a mournful knot, his arms were bound;
His eyes, that shot before a sunny beam,
Now scarcely shed a saddening, dying gleam,
Faint as a glimm'ring taper's wasted light,
Or a dull ray that streaks the cloudy night:—
His crystal vase was on the pavement roll'd,
And from the bank was fall'n his cup of gold;
From which, th'envenom'd dregs of deadly hue
Flow'd on the ground, in streams of baleful dew,
And, slowly stealing through the wither'd bow'r,
Poison'd each plant, and blasted every flow'r:
Fled were his slaves, and fled his yielding fair,
And each gay phantom was dissolv'd in air;
Whilst in their place was left a ruthless train,
Despair, and grief, remorse, and raging pain.
Aside the damsel turns her weeping eyes,
And sad reflections in her bosom rise;
To whom thus, mildly, speaks the radiant queen:
‘Take sage example from this moral scene;
‘See! how vain pleasures sting the lips they kiss,
‘How asps are hid beneath the bowers of bliss!
‘Whilst ever fair the flow'r of temperance blows,
‘Unchang'd her leaf, and without thorn her rose;
‘Smiling she darts her glittering branch on high,
‘And spreads her fragrant blossoms to the sky.’
And sad reflections in her bosom rise;
156
‘Take sage example from this moral scene;
‘See! how vain pleasures sting the lips they kiss,
‘How asps are hid beneath the bowers of bliss!
‘Whilst ever fair the flow'r of temperance blows,
‘Unchang'd her leaf, and without thorn her rose;
‘Smiling she darts her glittering branch on high,
‘And spreads her fragrant blossoms to the sky.’
Next, tow'rd the throne she saw a knight
advance;
Erect he stood, and shook a quiv'ring lance;
A fiery dragon on his helmet shone;
And on his buckler beam'd a golden sun;
O'er his broad bosom blaz'd his jointed mail
With many a gem, and many a shining scale;
He trod the sounding floor with princely mien,
And thus with haughty words address'd the queen:
‘Let falling kings beneath my javelin bleed,
‘And bind my temples with a victor's meed;
‘Let every realm that feels the solar ray,
‘Shrink at my frown, and own my regal sway:
‘Let Ind's rich banks declare my deathless fame,
‘And trembling Ganges dread my potent name.’
Erect he stood, and shook a quiv'ring lance;
A fiery dragon on his helmet shone;
And on his buckler beam'd a golden sun;
O'er his broad bosom blaz'd his jointed mail
With many a gem, and many a shining scale;
He trod the sounding floor with princely mien,
And thus with haughty words address'd the queen:
‘Let falling kings beneath my javelin bleed,
‘And bind my temples with a victor's meed;
‘Let every realm that feels the solar ray,
‘Shrink at my frown, and own my regal sway:
‘Let Ind's rich banks declare my deathless fame,
‘And trembling Ganges dread my potent name.’
The queen consented to the warrior's pray'r;
And his bright banners floated in the air;
He bade his darts in steely tempests fly,
Flames burst the clouds, and thunder shake the sky;
Death aim'd his lance, earth trembled at his nod,
And crimson conquest glow'd where'er he trod.
And his bright banners floated in the air;
He bade his darts in steely tempests fly,
Flames burst the clouds, and thunder shake the sky;
157
And crimson conquest glow'd where'er he trod.
And now, the damsel, fix'd in deep amaze,
Th'enchanted glass with eager look surveys:
She sees the hero in his dusky tent,
His guards retir'd, his glimm'ring taper spent;
His spear, vain instrument of dying praise,
On the rich floor, with idle state, he lays;
His gory falchion near his pillow stood,
And stain'd the ground with drops of purple blood;
A busy page his nodding helm unlac'd,
And on the couch his scaly hauberk plac'd:
Now on the bed his weary limbs he throws,
Bath'd in the balmy dew of soft repose:
In dreams he rushes o'er the gloomy field,
He sees new armies fly, new heroes yield;
Warm with the vigorous conflict he appears,
And ev'n in slumber seems to move the spheres.
But lo! the faithless page, with stealing tread,
Advances to the champion's naked head;
With his sharp dagger wounds his bleeding breast,
And steeps his eyelids in eternal rest:
Then cries, (and waves the steel that drops with gore,)
‘The tyrant dies; oppression is no more.’
Th'enchanted glass with eager look surveys:
She sees the hero in his dusky tent,
His guards retir'd, his glimm'ring taper spent;
His spear, vain instrument of dying praise,
On the rich floor, with idle state, he lays;
His gory falchion near his pillow stood,
And stain'd the ground with drops of purple blood;
A busy page his nodding helm unlac'd,
And on the couch his scaly hauberk plac'd:
Now on the bed his weary limbs he throws,
Bath'd in the balmy dew of soft repose:
In dreams he rushes o'er the gloomy field,
He sees new armies fly, new heroes yield;
Warm with the vigorous conflict he appears,
And ev'n in slumber seems to move the spheres.
But lo! the faithless page, with stealing tread,
Advances to the champion's naked head;
With his sharp dagger wounds his bleeding breast,
And steeps his eyelids in eternal rest:
Then cries, (and waves the steel that drops with gore,)
‘The tyrant dies; oppression is no more.’
Now came an aged sire
, with trembling pace;
Sunk were his eyes, and pale his ghastly face;
A ragged weed of dusky hue he wore,
And on his back a ponderous coffer bore.
The queen with faltering speech he thus addrest:
‘O, fill with gold thy true adorer's chest!’
Sunk were his eyes, and pale his ghastly face;
158
And on his back a ponderous coffer bore.
The queen with faltering speech he thus addrest:
‘O, fill with gold thy true adorer's chest!’
‘Behold,’ said she, and wav'd her pow'rful hand,
‘Where yon rich hills in glittering order stand:
‘There load thy coffer with the golden store;
‘Then bear it full away, and ask no more.’
‘Where yon rich hills in glittering order stand:
‘There load thy coffer with the golden store;
‘Then bear it full away, and ask no more.’
With eager steps he took his hasty way,
Where the bright coin in heaps unnumber'd lay;
There, hung enamour'd o'er the gleaming spoil,
Scoop'd the gay dross, and bent beneath the toil.
But bitter was his anguish, to behold
The coffer widen, and its sides unfold:
And, every time he heap'd the darling ore,
His greedy chest grew larger than before;
Till, spent with pain, and falling o'er his hoard,
With his sharp steel his maddening breast he gor'd:
On the lov'd heap he cast his closing eye,
Contented on a golden couch to die.
Where the bright coin in heaps unnumber'd lay;
There, hung enamour'd o'er the gleaming spoil,
Scoop'd the gay dross, and bent beneath the toil.
But bitter was his anguish, to behold
The coffer widen, and its sides unfold:
And, every time he heap'd the darling ore,
His greedy chest grew larger than before;
Till, spent with pain, and falling o'er his hoard,
With his sharp steel his maddening breast he gor'd:
On the lov'd heap he cast his closing eye,
Contented on a golden couch to die.
A stripling, with the fair adventure pleas'd,
Stepp'd forward, and the massy coffer seiz'd;
But with surprise he saw the stores decay,
And all the long-sought treasures melt away:
In winding streams the liquid metal roll'd,
And through the palace ran a flood of gold.
Next, to the shrine advanc'd a reverend sage
,
Whose beard was hoary with the frost of age;
His few grey locks a sable fillet bound,
And his dark mantle flow'd along the ground:
Grave was his port, yet show'd a bold neglect,
And fill'd the young beholder with respect;
Time's envious hand had plough'd his wrinkled face,
Yet on those wrinkles sat superior grace;
Still full of fire appear'd his vivid eye,
Darted quick beams, and seem'd to pierce the sky.
At length, with gentle voice and look serene,
He wav'd his hand, and thus address'd the queen:
Stepp'd forward, and the massy coffer seiz'd;
But with surprise he saw the stores decay,
And all the long-sought treasures melt away:
In winding streams the liquid metal roll'd,
And through the palace ran a flood of gold.
159
Whose beard was hoary with the frost of age;
His few grey locks a sable fillet bound,
And his dark mantle flow'd along the ground:
Grave was his port, yet show'd a bold neglect,
And fill'd the young beholder with respect;
Time's envious hand had plough'd his wrinkled face,
Yet on those wrinkles sat superior grace;
Still full of fire appear'd his vivid eye,
Darted quick beams, and seem'd to pierce the sky.
At length, with gentle voice and look serene,
He wav'd his hand, and thus address'd the queen:
‘Twice forty winters tip my beard with snow,
‘And age's chilling gusts around me blow:
‘In early youth, by contemplation led,
‘With high pursuits my flatter'd thoughts were fed;
‘To nature first my labors were confin'd,
‘And all her charms were open'd to my mind,
‘Each flower that glisten'd in the morning dew,
‘And every shrub that in the forest grew:
‘From earth to heaven I cast my wond'ring eyes,
‘Saw suns unnumber'd sparkle in the skies,
‘Mark'd the just progress of each rolling sphere,
‘Describ'd the seasons, and reform'd the year.
‘At length sublimer studies I began,
‘And fix'd my level'd telescope on man;
‘Knew all his powers, and all his passions trac'd,
‘What virtue rais'd him, and what vice debas'd:
‘But when I saw his knowledge so confin'd,
‘So vain his wishes, and so weak his mind,
‘His soul, a bright obscurity at best,
‘And rough with tempests his afflicted breast,
‘His life, a flower ere evening sure to fade,
‘His highest joys, the shadow of a shade;
‘To thy fair court I took my weary way,
‘Bewail my folly, and heaven's laws obey,
‘Confess my feeble mind for prayers unfit,
‘And to my Maker's will my soul submit:
‘Great empress of yon orb that rolls below,
‘On me the last best gift of heaven bestow.’
‘And age's chilling gusts around me blow:
‘In early youth, by contemplation led,
‘With high pursuits my flatter'd thoughts were fed;
‘To nature first my labors were confin'd,
‘And all her charms were open'd to my mind,
‘Each flower that glisten'd in the morning dew,
‘And every shrub that in the forest grew:
‘From earth to heaven I cast my wond'ring eyes,
‘Saw suns unnumber'd sparkle in the skies,
‘Mark'd the just progress of each rolling sphere,
‘Describ'd the seasons, and reform'd the year.
‘At length sublimer studies I began,
‘And fix'd my level'd telescope on man;
160
‘What virtue rais'd him, and what vice debas'd:
‘But when I saw his knowledge so confin'd,
‘So vain his wishes, and so weak his mind,
‘His soul, a bright obscurity at best,
‘And rough with tempests his afflicted breast,
‘His life, a flower ere evening sure to fade,
‘His highest joys, the shadow of a shade;
‘To thy fair court I took my weary way,
‘Bewail my folly, and heaven's laws obey,
‘Confess my feeble mind for prayers unfit,
‘And to my Maker's will my soul submit:
‘Great empress of yon orb that rolls below,
‘On me the last best gift of heaven bestow.’
He spoke: a sudden cloud his senses stole,
And thickening darkness swam o'er all his soul;
His vital spark her earthly cell forsook,
And into air her fleeting progress took.
And thickening darkness swam o'er all his soul;
His vital spark her earthly cell forsook,
And into air her fleeting progress took.
Now, from the throng a deafening sound was heard,
And all at once their various prayers preferr'd;
The goddess, wearied with the noisy crowd,
Thrice wav'd her silver wand, and spoke aloud:
‘Our ears no more with vain petitions tire,
‘But take unheard whate'er you first desire.’
She said: each wish'd, and what he wish'd obtain'd;
And wild confusion in the palace reign'd.
But Maia, now grown senseless with delight,
Cast on an emerald ring her roving sight;
And, ere she could survey the rest with care,
Wish'd on her hand the precious gem to wear.
And all at once their various prayers preferr'd;
The goddess, wearied with the noisy crowd,
Thrice wav'd her silver wand, and spoke aloud:
‘Our ears no more with vain petitions tire,
‘But take unheard whate'er you first desire.’
She said: each wish'd, and what he wish'd obtain'd;
And wild confusion in the palace reign'd.
161
Cast on an emerald ring her roving sight;
And, ere she could survey the rest with care,
Wish'd on her hand the precious gem to wear.
Sudden the palace vanish'd from her sight,
And the gay fabric melted into night;
But, in its place, she view'd with weeping eyes
Huge rocks around her, and sharp cliffs arise:
She sat deserted on the naked shore,
Saw the curl'd waves, and heard the tempest roar;
Whilst on her finger shone the fatal ring,
A weak defence from hunger's pointed sting,
From sad remorse, from comfortless despair,
And all the painful family of care!
Frantic with grief her rosy cheek she tore,
And rent her locks, her darling charge no more:
But when the night his raven wing had spread,
And hung with sable every mountain's head,
Her tender limbs were numb'd with biting cold,
And round her feet the curling billows roll'd;
With trembling arms a rifted crag she grasp'd,
And the rough rock with hard embraces clasp'd.
And the gay fabric melted into night;
But, in its place, she view'd with weeping eyes
Huge rocks around her, and sharp cliffs arise:
She sat deserted on the naked shore,
Saw the curl'd waves, and heard the tempest roar;
Whilst on her finger shone the fatal ring,
A weak defence from hunger's pointed sting,
From sad remorse, from comfortless despair,
And all the painful family of care!
Frantic with grief her rosy cheek she tore,
And rent her locks, her darling charge no more:
But when the night his raven wing had spread,
And hung with sable every mountain's head,
Her tender limbs were numb'd with biting cold,
And round her feet the curling billows roll'd;
With trembling arms a rifted crag she grasp'd,
And the rough rock with hard embraces clasp'd.
While thus she stood, and made a piercing moan,
By chance her emerald touch'd the rugged stone;
That moment gleam'd from heaven a golden ray,
And taught the gloom to counterfeit the day:
A winged youth, for mortal eyes too fair,
Shot, like a meteor, through the dusky air;
His heavenly charms o'ercame her dazzled sight,
And drown'd her senses in a flood of light;
His sunny plumes, descending, he display'd;
And, softly, thus address'd the mournful maid:
By chance her emerald touch'd the rugged stone;
That moment gleam'd from heaven a golden ray,
And taught the gloom to counterfeit the day:
A winged youth, for mortal eyes too fair,
Shot, like a meteor, through the dusky air;
162
And drown'd her senses in a flood of light;
His sunny plumes, descending, he display'd;
And, softly, thus address'd the mournful maid:
‘Say, thou, who dost yon wondrous ring possess,
‘What cares disturb thee, or what wants oppress;
‘To faithful ears disclose thy secret grief,
‘And hope (so heaven ordains) a quick relief.’
‘What cares disturb thee, or what wants oppress;
‘To faithful ears disclose thy secret grief,
‘And hope (so heaven ordains) a quick relief.’
The maid replied: ‘Ah, sacred genius! bear
‘A hopeless damsel from this land of care;
‘Waft me to softer climes and lovelier plains,
‘Where nature smiles, and spring eternal reigns.’
‘A hopeless damsel from this land of care;
‘Waft me to softer climes and lovelier plains,
‘Where nature smiles, and spring eternal reigns.’
She spoke; and, swifter than the glance of thought,
To a fair isle his sleeping charge he brought.
To a fair isle his sleeping charge he brought.
Now morning breath'd: the scented air was mild,
Each meadow blossom'd, and each valley smil'd;
On every shrub the pearly dewdrops hung,
On every branch a feather'd warbler sung;
The cheerful spring her flowery chaplets wove,
And incense-breathing gales perfum'd the grove.
Each meadow blossom'd, and each valley smil'd;
On every shrub the pearly dewdrops hung,
On every branch a feather'd warbler sung;
The cheerful spring her flowery chaplets wove,
And incense-breathing gales perfum'd the grove.
The damsel rose; and, lost in glad surprise,
Cast round the gay expanse her opening eyes,
That shone with pleasure, like a starry beam,
Or moonlight sparkling on a silver stream.
Cast round the gay expanse her opening eyes,
That shone with pleasure, like a starry beam,
Or moonlight sparkling on a silver stream.
163
She thought some nymph must haunt that lovely scene,
Some woodland goddess, or some fairy queen;
At least she hop'd in some sequester'd vale
To hear the shepherd tell his amorous tale:
Led by these flattering hopes,—from glade to glade,
From lawn to lawn, with hasty steps she stray'd;
But not a nymph by stream or fountain stood,
And not a fairy glided through the wood;
No damsel wanton'd o'er the dewy flow'rs,
No shepherd sung beneath the rosy bow'rs:
On every side she saw vast mountains rise,
That thrust their daring foreheads in the skies;
The rocks of polish'd alabaster seem'd,
And in the sun their lofty summits gleam'd.
She call'd aloud; but not a voice replied,
Save Echo babbling from the mountain's side.
Some woodland goddess, or some fairy queen;
At least she hop'd in some sequester'd vale
To hear the shepherd tell his amorous tale:
Led by these flattering hopes,—from glade to glade,
From lawn to lawn, with hasty steps she stray'd;
But not a nymph by stream or fountain stood,
And not a fairy glided through the wood;
No damsel wanton'd o'er the dewy flow'rs,
No shepherd sung beneath the rosy bow'rs:
On every side she saw vast mountains rise,
That thrust their daring foreheads in the skies;
The rocks of polish'd alabaster seem'd,
And in the sun their lofty summits gleam'd.
She call'd aloud; but not a voice replied,
Save Echo babbling from the mountain's side.
By this, had night o'ercast the gloomy scene,
And twinkling stars emblaz'd the blue serene:—
Yet on she wander'd—till, with grief opprest,
She fell; and, falling, smote her snowy breast:
Now, to the heavens her guilty head she rears,
And pours her bursting sorrow into tears;
Then plaintive speaks, ‘Ah, fond mistaken maid!
‘How was thy mind by gilded hopes betray'd!
‘Why didst thou wish for bowers and flowery hills,
‘For smiling meadows, and for purling rills;
‘Since on those hills no youth or damsel roves,
‘No shepherd haunts the solitary groves?
‘Ye meads that glow with intermingled dyes,
‘Ye flowering palms that from yon hillocks rise,
‘Ye quivering brooks that softly murmur by,
‘Ye panting gales that on the branches die;
‘Ah! why has Nature through her gay domain
‘Display'd your beauties, yet display'd in vain?
‘In vain, ye flowers, you boast your vernal bloom,
‘And waste in barren air your fresh perfume.
‘Ah! leave, ye wanton birds, yon lonely spray;
‘Unheard you warble, and unseen you play:
‘Yet stay till fate has fix'd my early doom,
‘And strow with leaves a hapless damsel's tomb.
‘Some grot or grassy bank shall be my bier,
‘My maiden hearse unwater'd with a tear.’
And twinkling stars emblaz'd the blue serene:—
Yet on she wander'd—till, with grief opprest,
She fell; and, falling, smote her snowy breast:
Now, to the heavens her guilty head she rears,
And pours her bursting sorrow into tears;
Then plaintive speaks, ‘Ah, fond mistaken maid!
‘How was thy mind by gilded hopes betray'd!
‘Why didst thou wish for bowers and flowery hills,
‘For smiling meadows, and for purling rills;
164
‘No shepherd haunts the solitary groves?
‘Ye meads that glow with intermingled dyes,
‘Ye flowering palms that from yon hillocks rise,
‘Ye quivering brooks that softly murmur by,
‘Ye panting gales that on the branches die;
‘Ah! why has Nature through her gay domain
‘Display'd your beauties, yet display'd in vain?
‘In vain, ye flowers, you boast your vernal bloom,
‘And waste in barren air your fresh perfume.
‘Ah! leave, ye wanton birds, yon lonely spray;
‘Unheard you warble, and unseen you play:
‘Yet stay till fate has fix'd my early doom,
‘And strow with leaves a hapless damsel's tomb.
‘Some grot or grassy bank shall be my bier,
‘My maiden hearse unwater'd with a tear.’
Thus while she mourns, o'erwhelm'd in deep despair,
She rends her silken robes, and golden hair:
Her fatal ring, the cause of all her woes,
On a hard rock with maddening rage she throws;
The gem, rebounding from the stone, displays
Its verdant hue, and sheds refreshing rays:
Sudden descends the Genius of the Ring,
And drops celestial fragrance from his wing;
Then speaks: ‘Who calls me from the realms of day?
‘Ask, and I grant; command, and I obey!’
She rends her silken robes, and golden hair:
Her fatal ring, the cause of all her woes,
On a hard rock with maddening rage she throws;
The gem, rebounding from the stone, displays
Its verdant hue, and sheds refreshing rays:
Sudden descends the Genius of the Ring,
And drops celestial fragrance from his wing;
Then speaks: ‘Who calls me from the realms of day?
‘Ask, and I grant; command, and I obey!’
165
She drank his melting words with ravish'd ears,
And stopp'd the gushing current of her tears;
Then kiss'd his skirts, that like a ruby glow'd,
And said, ‘O bear me to my sire's abode!’
And stopp'd the gushing current of her tears;
Then kiss'd his skirts, that like a ruby glow'd,
And said, ‘O bear me to my sire's abode!’
Strait, o'er her eyes a shady veil arose,
And all her soul was lull'd in still repose.
And all her soul was lull'd in still repose.
By this, with flow'rs the rosy-finger'd dawn
Had spread each dewy hill and verdurous lawn;—
She wak'd; and saw a new built tomb, that stood
In the dark bosom of a solemn wood,
While these sad sounds her trembling ears invade,—
‘Beneath yon marble, sleeps thy father's shade.’
She sigh'd; she wept; she struck her pensive breast;
And bade his urn in peaceful slumber rest.
Had spread each dewy hill and verdurous lawn;—
She wak'd; and saw a new built tomb, that stood
In the dark bosom of a solemn wood,
While these sad sounds her trembling ears invade,—
‘Beneath yon marble, sleeps thy father's shade.’
She sigh'd; she wept; she struck her pensive breast;
And bade his urn in peaceful slumber rest.
And now, in silence, o'er the gloomy land,
She saw advance a slowly-winding band;
Their cheeks were veil'd, their robes of mournful hue
Flow'd o'er the lawn, and swept the pearly dew;
O'er the fresh turf they sprinkled sweet perfume,
And strow'd with flowers the venerable tomb.
A graceful matron walk'd before the train,
And tun'd in notes of woe the funeral strain:
When from her face her silken veil she drew,
The watchful maid her aged mother knew.
O'erpow'r'd with bursting joy, she runs to meet
The mourning dame, and falls before her feet.
She saw advance a slowly-winding band;
Their cheeks were veil'd, their robes of mournful hue
Flow'd o'er the lawn, and swept the pearly dew;
O'er the fresh turf they sprinkled sweet perfume,
And strow'd with flowers the venerable tomb.
A graceful matron walk'd before the train,
And tun'd in notes of woe the funeral strain:
When from her face her silken veil she drew,
The watchful maid her aged mother knew.
O'erpow'r'd with bursting joy, she runs to meet
The mourning dame, and falls before her feet.
166
The matron with surprise her daughter rears,
Hangs on her neck, and mingles tears with tears.
Now o'er the tomb their hallow'd rites they pay,
And form with lamps an artificial day:
Ere long the damsel reach'd her native vale,
And told, with joyful heart, her moral tale;
Resign'd to heaven, and lost to all beside,
She liv'd contented, and contented died.
Hangs on her neck, and mingles tears with tears.
Now o'er the tomb their hallow'd rites they pay,
And form with lamps an artificial day:
Ere long the damsel reach'd her native vale,
And told, with joyful heart, her moral tale;
Resign'd to heaven, and lost to all beside,
She liv'd contented, and contented died.
167
THE ENCHANTED FRUIT;
OR, THE HINDU WIFE:
AN ANTEDILUVIAN TALE.
‘O lovely Age
, by Brahmens fam'd,
‘Pure Seyte Yug in Sanscrit nam'd!
‘Delightful! Not for cups of gold,
‘Or wives a thousand centuries old;
‘Or men, degenerate now and small,
‘Then one-and-twenty cubits tall:
‘Not that plump cows full udders bore,
‘And bowls with holy curd ran o'er;
‘Not that, by Deities defended
‘Fish, Boar, Snake, Lion , heav'n-descended,
‘Learn'd Pundits, now grown sticks and clods,
‘Redde fast the Nagry of the Gods ,
‘And Laymen, faithful to Narayn
‘Believ'd in Brahma's mystic strain ;
‘Not that all subjects spoke plain truth,
‘While Rajas cherish'd eld and youth,
‘NO—yet delightful times! because
‘Nature then reign'd, and Nature's Laws;
‘When females of the softest kind
‘Were unaffected, unconfin'd;
‘And this grand rule from none was hidden ;
‘What pleaseth hath no law forbidden.’
‘Pure Seyte Yug in Sanscrit nam'd!
‘Delightful! Not for cups of gold,
‘Or wives a thousand centuries old;
‘Or men, degenerate now and small,
‘Then one-and-twenty cubits tall:
‘Not that plump cows full udders bore,
‘And bowls with holy curd ran o'er;
‘Not that, by Deities defended
‘Fish, Boar, Snake, Lion , heav'n-descended,
‘Learn'd Pundits, now grown sticks and clods,
‘Redde fast the Nagry of the Gods ,
168
‘Believ'd in Brahma's mystic strain ;
‘Not that all subjects spoke plain truth,
‘While Rajas cherish'd eld and youth,
‘NO—yet delightful times! because
‘Nature then reign'd, and Nature's Laws;
‘When females of the softest kind
‘Were unaffected, unconfin'd;
‘And this grand rule from none was hidden ;
‘What pleaseth hath no law forbidden.’
Thus with a lyre in India strung,
Aminta's poet would have sung;
And thus too, in a modest way,
All virtuous males will sing or say:
But swarthy nymphs of Hindustan
Look deeper than short-sighted man,
And thus, in some poetic chime,
Would speak with reason, as with rhyme:
‘O lovelier age, by Brahmens fam'd,
‘Gay Dwapar Yug in Sanscrit nam'd!
‘Delightful! though impure with brass
‘In many a green ill-scented mass;
‘Though husbands but sev'n cubits high,
‘Must in a thousand summers die;
‘Though, in the lives of dwindled men,
‘Ten parts were Sin; Religion, ten;
‘Though cows would rarely fill the pail,
‘But made th'expected cream-bowl fail;
‘Though lazy Pendits ill could read
‘(No care of ours) their Yejar Veid;
‘Though Rajas look'd a little proud,
‘And Ranies rather spoke too loud;
‘Though Gods, display'd to mortal view
‘In mortal forms, were only two;
‘(Yet Crishna , sweetest youth, was one,
‘Crishna, whose cheeks outblaz'd the sun;)
‘Delightful, ne'ertheless! because
‘Not bound by vile unnat'ral laws,
‘Which curse this age from Calay nam'd,
‘By some base woman-hater fram'd.
‘Prepost'rous; that one biped vain
‘Should drag ten housewives in his train,
‘And stuff them in a gaudy cage,
‘Slaves to weak lust, or potent rage;
‘Not such the Dwapar Yug!—oh then
‘One buxom dame might wed five men.’
Aminta's poet would have sung;
And thus too, in a modest way,
All virtuous males will sing or say:
But swarthy nymphs of Hindustan
Look deeper than short-sighted man,
And thus, in some poetic chime,
Would speak with reason, as with rhyme:
‘O lovelier age, by Brahmens fam'd,
‘Gay Dwapar Yug in Sanscrit nam'd!
‘Delightful! though impure with brass
‘In many a green ill-scented mass;
‘Though husbands but sev'n cubits high,
‘Must in a thousand summers die;
169
‘Ten parts were Sin; Religion, ten;
‘Though cows would rarely fill the pail,
‘But made th'expected cream-bowl fail;
‘Though lazy Pendits ill could read
‘(No care of ours) their Yejar Veid;
‘Though Rajas look'd a little proud,
‘And Ranies rather spoke too loud;
‘Though Gods, display'd to mortal view
‘In mortal forms, were only two;
‘(Yet Crishna , sweetest youth, was one,
‘Crishna, whose cheeks outblaz'd the sun;)
‘Delightful, ne'ertheless! because
‘Not bound by vile unnat'ral laws,
‘Which curse this age from Calay nam'd,
‘By some base woman-hater fram'd.
‘Prepost'rous; that one biped vain
‘Should drag ten housewives in his train,
‘And stuff them in a gaudy cage,
‘Slaves to weak lust, or potent rage;
‘Not such the Dwapar Yug!—oh then
‘One buxom dame might wed five men.’
True history. in solemn terms,
This philosophic lore confirms;
For India once as now cold Tibet ,
A group unusual might exhibit,
Of sev'ral husbands, free from strife,
Link'd fairly to a single wife!
Thus Botanists, with eyes acute
To see prolific dust minute,
Taught by their learned northern Brahmen
To class by pistil and by stamen,
Produce from nature's rich dominion
Flow'rs polyandrian monogynian,
Where embryon blossoms, fruits, and leaves
Twenty prepare, and one receives.
This philosophic lore confirms;
For India once as now cold Tibet ,
A group unusual might exhibit,
170
Link'd fairly to a single wife!
Thus Botanists, with eyes acute
To see prolific dust minute,
Taught by their learned northern Brahmen
To class by pistil and by stamen,
Produce from nature's rich dominion
Flow'rs polyandrian monogynian,
Where embryon blossoms, fruits, and leaves
Twenty prepare, and one receives.
But, lest my word should not avail,
Ye Fair, to no unholy tale
Attend. Five thousand years ago,
As annals in Benares show,
When Pandu chiefs with Curus fought ,
And each the throne imperial sought,
Five brothers of the regal line
Blaz'd high with qualities divine.
The first a prince without his peer,
Just, pious, lib'ral Yudhishteir ;
Then Erjun, to the base a rod,
An Hero favour'd by a God
Bheima, like mountain-leopard strong,
Unrival'd in th'embattled throng;
Bold Nacul, fir'd by noble shame
To emulate fraternal fame;
And Sehdeo, flush'd with manly grace,
Bright virtue dawning in his face:
To these a dame, devoid of care,
Blythe Draupady, the debonair,
Renown'd for beauty, and for wit,
In wedlock's pleasing chain was knit .
Ye Fair, to no unholy tale
Attend. Five thousand years ago,
As annals in Benares show,
When Pandu chiefs with Curus fought ,
And each the throne imperial sought,
Five brothers of the regal line
Blaz'd high with qualities divine.
The first a prince without his peer,
Just, pious, lib'ral Yudhishteir ;
171
An Hero favour'd by a God
Bheima, like mountain-leopard strong,
Unrival'd in th'embattled throng;
Bold Nacul, fir'd by noble shame
To emulate fraternal fame;
And Sehdeo, flush'd with manly grace,
Bright virtue dawning in his face:
To these a dame, devoid of care,
Blythe Draupady, the debonair,
Renown'd for beauty, and for wit,
In wedlock's pleasing chain was knit .
It fortun'd, at an idle hour,
This five-mal'd single-femal'd flow'r
One balmy morn of fruitful May
Through vales and meadows took its way.
A low thatch'd mansion met their eye
In trees umbrageous bosom'd high;
Near it (no sight, young maids! for you)
A temple rose to Mahadew .
A thorny hedge and reedy gate
Enclos'd the garden's homely state;
Plain in its neatness: thither wend
The princes and their lovely friend.
Light-pinion'd gales, to charm the sense,
Their odorif'rous breath dispense;
From Belas pearl'd, or pointed, bloom,
And Malty rich, they steal perfume:
There honey-scented Singarhar,
And Juhy, like a rising star,
Strong Chempa, darted by Camdew,
And Mulsery of paler hue,
Cayora , which the Ranies wear
In tangles of their silken hair,
Round Babul-flow'rs and Gulachein
Dyed like the shell of Beauty's queen,
Sweet Mindy press'd for crimson stains,
And sacred Tulsy pride of plains,
With Sewty, small unblushing rose,
Their odours mix, their tints disclose,
And, as a gemm'd tiara, bright,
Paint the fresh branches with delight.
This five-mal'd single-femal'd flow'r
One balmy morn of fruitful May
Through vales and meadows took its way.
A low thatch'd mansion met their eye
In trees umbrageous bosom'd high;
Near it (no sight, young maids! for you)
A temple rose to Mahadew .
A thorny hedge and reedy gate
Enclos'd the garden's homely state;
172
The princes and their lovely friend.
Light-pinion'd gales, to charm the sense,
Their odorif'rous breath dispense;
From Belas pearl'd, or pointed, bloom,
And Malty rich, they steal perfume:
There honey-scented Singarhar,
And Juhy, like a rising star,
Strong Chempa, darted by Camdew,
And Mulsery of paler hue,
Cayora , which the Ranies wear
In tangles of their silken hair,
Round Babul-flow'rs and Gulachein
Dyed like the shell of Beauty's queen,
Sweet Mindy press'd for crimson stains,
And sacred Tulsy pride of plains,
With Sewty, small unblushing rose,
Their odours mix, their tints disclose,
And, as a gemm'd tiara, bright,
Paint the fresh branches with delight.
One tree above all others tower'd
With shrubs and saplings close embower'd,
For every blooming child of Spring
Paid homage to the verdant King.
Aloft a solitary fruit,
Full sixty cubits from the root,
Kiss'd by the breeze, luxuriant hung,
Soft Chrysolite with em'ralds strung.
‘Try we,’ said Erjun indiscreet,
‘If yon proud fruit be sharp or sweet;
‘My shaft its parent stalk shall wound:
‘Receive it, ere it reach the ground.’
With shrubs and saplings close embower'd,
For every blooming child of Spring
Paid homage to the verdant King.
173
Full sixty cubits from the root,
Kiss'd by the breeze, luxuriant hung,
Soft Chrysolite with em'ralds strung.
‘Try we,’ said Erjun indiscreet,
‘If yon proud fruit be sharp or sweet;
‘My shaft its parent stalk shall wound:
‘Receive it, ere it reach the ground.’
Swift as his word, an arrow flew:
The dropping prize besprent with dew
The brothers, in contention gay,
Catch, and on gather'd herbage lay.
The dropping prize besprent with dew
The brothers, in contention gay,
Catch, and on gather'd herbage lay.
That instant scarlet lightnings flash,
And Jemna's waves her borders lash,
Chrisna from Swerga's height descends,
Observant of his mortal friends:
Not such, as in his earliest years,
Among his wanton cowherd peers,
In Gocul or Brindáben's glades,
He sported with the Dairy-maids;
Or, having pip'd and danc'd enough,
Clos'd the brisk night with blindman's buff
(List, Antiquaries! and record
This pastime of the Gopia's Lord )
But radiant with ethereal fire:
Nared alone could Bards inspire
In lofty Slokes his mien to trace,
And unimaginable grace.
With human voice, in human form,
He mildly spake and hush'd the storm:
‘O mortals, ever prone to ill!
‘Too rashly Erjun prov'd his skill.
‘Yon fruit a pious Muny owns,
‘Assistant of our heav'nly thrones.
‘The golden pulp each month renew'd,
‘Supplies him with ambrosial food.
‘Should he the daring archer curse,
‘Not Mentra deep, nor magic verse,
‘Your gorgeous palaces could save
‘From flames, your embers, from the wave .
And Jemna's waves her borders lash,
Chrisna from Swerga's height descends,
Observant of his mortal friends:
Not such, as in his earliest years,
Among his wanton cowherd peers,
In Gocul or Brindáben's glades,
He sported with the Dairy-maids;
Or, having pip'd and danc'd enough,
Clos'd the brisk night with blindman's buff
(List, Antiquaries! and record
This pastime of the Gopia's Lord )
174
Nared alone could Bards inspire
In lofty Slokes his mien to trace,
And unimaginable grace.
With human voice, in human form,
He mildly spake and hush'd the storm:
‘O mortals, ever prone to ill!
‘Too rashly Erjun prov'd his skill.
‘Yon fruit a pious Muny owns,
‘Assistant of our heav'nly thrones.
‘The golden pulp each month renew'd,
‘Supplies him with ambrosial food.
‘Should he the daring archer curse,
‘Not Mentra deep, nor magic verse,
‘Your gorgeous palaces could save
‘From flames, your embers, from the wave .
The princes, whom th'immod'rate blaze
Forbids their sightless eyes to raise,
With doubled hands his aid implore,
And vow submission to his lore.
‘One remedy, and simply one,
‘Or take,’ said he, ‘or be undone:
‘Let each his crimes or faults confess,
‘The greatest name, omit the less;
‘Your actions, words, e'en thoughts reveal;
‘No part must Draupady conceal:
‘So shall the fruit, as each applies
‘The faithful charm, ten cubits rise;
‘Till, if the dame be frank and true,
‘It join the branch where late it grew.’
He smil'd and shed a transient gleam;
Then vanish'd like a morning dream.
Forbids their sightless eyes to raise,
With doubled hands his aid implore,
And vow submission to his lore.
‘One remedy, and simply one,
‘Or take,’ said he, ‘or be undone:
‘Let each his crimes or faults confess,
‘The greatest name, omit the less;
175
‘No part must Draupady conceal:
‘So shall the fruit, as each applies
‘The faithful charm, ten cubits rise;
‘Till, if the dame be frank and true,
‘It join the branch where late it grew.’
He smil'd and shed a transient gleam;
Then vanish'd like a morning dream.
Now, long entranc'd, each waking brother
Star'd with amazement on another,
Their consort's cheek forgot its glow,
And pearly tears began to flow;
When Yudishteir, high-gifted man,
His plain confession thus began:
Star'd with amazement on another,
Their consort's cheek forgot its glow,
And pearly tears began to flow;
When Yudishteir, high-gifted man,
His plain confession thus began:
‘Inconstant fortune's wreathed smiles,
‘Duryódhen's rage, Duryódhen's wiles,
‘Fires rais'd for this devoted head,
‘E'en poison for my brethren spread,
‘My wand'rings through wild scenes of woe,
‘And persecuted life you know.
‘Rude wassailers defiled my halls,
‘And riot shook my palace-walls,
‘My treasures wasted. This and more
‘With resignation calm I bore;
‘But, when the late descending god
‘Gave all I wish'd with soothing nod,
‘When, by his counsel and his aid,
‘Our banners danc'd, our clarions bray'd
‘(Be this my greatest crime confess'd),
‘Revenge sate ruler in my breast:
‘I panted for the tug of arms,
‘For skirmish hot, for fierce alarms;
‘Then had my shaft Duryódhen rent,
‘This heart had glow'd with sweet content.’
‘Duryódhen's rage, Duryódhen's wiles,
‘Fires rais'd for this devoted head,
‘E'en poison for my brethren spread,
‘My wand'rings through wild scenes of woe,
‘And persecuted life you know.
‘Rude wassailers defiled my halls,
‘And riot shook my palace-walls,
‘My treasures wasted. This and more
‘With resignation calm I bore;
‘But, when the late descending god
‘Gave all I wish'd with soothing nod,
‘When, by his counsel and his aid,
‘Our banners danc'd, our clarions bray'd
176
‘Revenge sate ruler in my breast:
‘I panted for the tug of arms,
‘For skirmish hot, for fierce alarms;
‘Then had my shaft Duryódhen rent,
‘This heart had glow'd with sweet content.’
He ceas'd: the living gold upsprung,
And from the bank ten cubits hung.
And from the bank ten cubits hung.
Embolden'd by this fair success,
Next Erjun hasten'd to confess:
‘When I with Aswattháma fought;
‘My noose the fell assassin caught;
‘My spear transfixed him to the ground:
‘His giant limbs firm cordage bound:
‘His holy thread extorted awe,
‘Spar'd by religion and by law;
‘But, when his murd'rous hands I view'd
‘In blameless kindred gore imbued,
‘Fury my boiling bosom sway'd,
‘And Rage unsheath'd my willing blade:
‘Then, had not Crishna's arm divine
‘With gentle touch suspended mine,
‘This hand a Brahmen had destroy'd,
‘And vultures with his blood been cloy'd.’—
Next Erjun hasten'd to confess:
‘When I with Aswattháma fought;
‘My noose the fell assassin caught;
‘My spear transfixed him to the ground:
‘His giant limbs firm cordage bound:
‘His holy thread extorted awe,
‘Spar'd by religion and by law;
‘But, when his murd'rous hands I view'd
‘In blameless kindred gore imbued,
‘Fury my boiling bosom sway'd,
‘And Rage unsheath'd my willing blade:
‘Then, had not Crishna's arm divine
‘With gentle touch suspended mine,
‘This hand a Brahmen had destroy'd,
‘And vultures with his blood been cloy'd.’—
The fruit, forgiving Erjun's dart,
Ten cubits rose with eager start.
Flush'd with some tints of honest shame,
Bheima to his confession came:
‘'Twas at a feast for battles won
‘From Dhriteráshtra's guileful son,
‘High on the board in vases pil'd
‘All vegetable nature smil'd:
‘Proud Anaras his beauties told,
‘His verdant crown and studs of gold,
‘To Dallim whose soft rubies laugh'd
‘Bursting with juice, that gods have quaff'd;
‘Ripe Kellas here in heaps were seen,
‘Kellas, the golden and the green,
‘With Ambas priz'd on distant coasts,
‘Whose birth the fertile Ganga boasts:
‘(Some gleam like silver, some outshine
‘Wrought ingots from Besoara's mine:)
‘Corindas there, too sharp alone,
‘With honey mix'd, impurpled shone;
‘Talsans his liquid crystal spread
‘Pluck'd from high Tara's tufted head;
‘Round Jamas delicate as fair,
‘Like rose-water perfum'd the air;
‘Bright salvers high rais'd Comlas held
‘Like topazes, which Amrit swell'd;
‘While some delicious Attas bore
‘And Catels warm, a sugar'd store;
‘Others with Béla's grains were heap'd,
‘And mild Papayas honey-steep'd;
‘Or sweet Ajeírs the red and pale,
‘Sweet to the taste and in the gale.
‘Here mark'd we purest basons fraught
‘With sacred cream and fam'd Joghrát;
‘Nor saw we not rich bowls contain
‘The Chawla's light nutritious grain,
‘Some virgin-like in native pride,
‘And some with strong Haldea dyed;
‘Some tasteful to dull palates made
‘If Merich lend his fervent aid,
‘Or Langa shap'd like od'rous nails,
‘Whose scent o'er groves of spice prevails,
‘Or Adda , breathing gentle heat,
‘Or Joutery both warm and sweet.
‘Supiary next (in Pána chew'd,
‘And Catha with strong pow'rs endued,
‘Mix'd with Elachy's glowing seeds,
‘Which some remoter climate breeds,)
‘Near Jeifel sate like Jeifel fram'd,
‘Though not for equal fragrance nam'd:
‘Last, Nárgal , whom all ranks esteem,
‘Pour'd in full cups his dulcet stream:
‘Long I survey'd the doubtful board
‘With each high delicacy stor'd;
‘Then freely gratified my soul,
‘From many a dish, and many a bowl,
‘Till health was lavish'd, as my time:
‘Intemp'rance was my fatal crime.’
Ten cubits rose with eager start.
177
Bheima to his confession came:
‘'Twas at a feast for battles won
‘From Dhriteráshtra's guileful son,
‘High on the board in vases pil'd
‘All vegetable nature smil'd:
‘Proud Anaras his beauties told,
‘His verdant crown and studs of gold,
‘To Dallim whose soft rubies laugh'd
‘Bursting with juice, that gods have quaff'd;
‘Ripe Kellas here in heaps were seen,
‘Kellas, the golden and the green,
‘With Ambas priz'd on distant coasts,
‘Whose birth the fertile Ganga boasts:
‘(Some gleam like silver, some outshine
‘Wrought ingots from Besoara's mine:)
‘Corindas there, too sharp alone,
‘With honey mix'd, impurpled shone;
‘Talsans his liquid crystal spread
‘Pluck'd from high Tara's tufted head;
‘Round Jamas delicate as fair,
‘Like rose-water perfum'd the air;
‘Bright salvers high rais'd Comlas held
‘Like topazes, which Amrit swell'd;
‘While some delicious Attas bore
‘And Catels warm, a sugar'd store;
178
‘And mild Papayas honey-steep'd;
‘Or sweet Ajeírs the red and pale,
‘Sweet to the taste and in the gale.
‘Here mark'd we purest basons fraught
‘With sacred cream and fam'd Joghrát;
‘Nor saw we not rich bowls contain
‘The Chawla's light nutritious grain,
‘Some virgin-like in native pride,
‘And some with strong Haldea dyed;
‘Some tasteful to dull palates made
‘If Merich lend his fervent aid,
‘Or Langa shap'd like od'rous nails,
‘Whose scent o'er groves of spice prevails,
‘Or Adda , breathing gentle heat,
‘Or Joutery both warm and sweet.
‘Supiary next (in Pána chew'd,
‘And Catha with strong pow'rs endued,
‘Mix'd with Elachy's glowing seeds,
‘Which some remoter climate breeds,)
‘Near Jeifel sate like Jeifel fram'd,
‘Though not for equal fragrance nam'd:
‘Last, Nárgal , whom all ranks esteem,
‘Pour'd in full cups his dulcet stream:
‘Long I survey'd the doubtful board
‘With each high delicacy stor'd;
179
‘From many a dish, and many a bowl,
‘Till health was lavish'd, as my time:
‘Intemp'rance was my fatal crime.’
Up rose the fruit; and now mid-way
Suspended shone like blazing day.
Suspended shone like blazing day.
Nacal then spoke: (a blush o'erspread
His cheeks, and conscious droop'd his head:)
‘Before Duryódhen, ruthless king,
‘Taught his fierce darts in air to sing,
‘With bright-arm'd rank, by Crishna sent,
‘Elate from Indraprest I went
‘Through Eastern realms; and vanquish'd all
‘From rough Asmóra to Nipál;
‘Where every mansion, new and old,
‘Flam'd with Barbaric gems and gold.
‘Here shone with pride the regal stores
‘On iv'ry roofs, and cedrine floors;
‘There diadems of price unknown
‘Blaz'd with each all-attracting stone;
‘Firm diamonds, like fix'd honour true,
‘Some pink, and some of yellow hue,
‘Some black, yet not the less esteem'd;
‘The rest like tranquil Jemma gleam'd,
‘When in her bed the Gopia lave,
‘Betray'd by the pellucid wave,
‘Like raging fire the ruby glow'd,
‘Or soft, but radiant, water show'd;
‘Pure Amethysts, in richest ore
‘Oft found, a purple vesture wore;
‘Sapphires, like yon ethereal plain;
‘Em'ralds, like piepel fresh with rain;
‘Gay topazes, translucent gold;
‘Pale chrysolites of softer mould;
‘Fam'd beryls, like the serge marine,
‘Light azure mix'd with modest green;
‘Refracted ev'ry varying dye,
‘Bright as yon bow, that girds the sky.
‘Here opals, which all hues unite,
‘Display'd their many-tinctur'd light,
‘With turcoises divinely blue,
‘(Though doubts arise where first they grew,
‘Whether chaste elephantine bone
‘By min'rals ting'd, or native stone,)
‘And pearls unblemish'd, such as deck
‘Bhavány's wrist or Lecshmy's neck:
‘Each castle ras'd, each city storm'd,
‘Vast loads of pillag'd wealth I form'd,
‘Not for my coffers; though they bore,
‘As you decreed, my lot and more.
‘Too pleas'd the brilliant heap I stor'd,
‘Too charming seem'd the guarded hoard:
‘An odious vice this heart assail'd;
‘Base Av'rice for a time prevail'd.’
Th'enchanted orb ten cubits flew,
Strait as the shaft, which Erjun drew.
His cheeks, and conscious droop'd his head:)
‘Before Duryódhen, ruthless king,
‘Taught his fierce darts in air to sing,
‘With bright-arm'd rank, by Crishna sent,
‘Elate from Indraprest I went
‘Through Eastern realms; and vanquish'd all
‘From rough Asmóra to Nipál;
‘Where every mansion, new and old,
‘Flam'd with Barbaric gems and gold.
‘Here shone with pride the regal stores
‘On iv'ry roofs, and cedrine floors;
‘There diadems of price unknown
‘Blaz'd with each all-attracting stone;
‘Firm diamonds, like fix'd honour true,
‘Some pink, and some of yellow hue,
‘Some black, yet not the less esteem'd;
‘The rest like tranquil Jemma gleam'd,
‘When in her bed the Gopia lave,
‘Betray'd by the pellucid wave,
180
‘Or soft, but radiant, water show'd;
‘Pure Amethysts, in richest ore
‘Oft found, a purple vesture wore;
‘Sapphires, like yon ethereal plain;
‘Em'ralds, like piepel fresh with rain;
‘Gay topazes, translucent gold;
‘Pale chrysolites of softer mould;
‘Fam'd beryls, like the serge marine,
‘Light azure mix'd with modest green;
‘Refracted ev'ry varying dye,
‘Bright as yon bow, that girds the sky.
‘Here opals, which all hues unite,
‘Display'd their many-tinctur'd light,
‘With turcoises divinely blue,
‘(Though doubts arise where first they grew,
‘Whether chaste elephantine bone
‘By min'rals ting'd, or native stone,)
‘And pearls unblemish'd, such as deck
‘Bhavány's wrist or Lecshmy's neck:
‘Each castle ras'd, each city storm'd,
‘Vast loads of pillag'd wealth I form'd,
‘Not for my coffers; though they bore,
‘As you decreed, my lot and more.
‘Too pleas'd the brilliant heap I stor'd,
‘Too charming seem'd the guarded hoard:
‘An odious vice this heart assail'd;
‘Base Av'rice for a time prevail'd.’
181
Strait as the shaft, which Erjun drew.
Sehdio, with youthful ardour bold,
Thus, penitent, his failings told:
‘From clouds, by folly rais'd, these eyes
‘Experience clear'd, and made me wise;
‘For, when the crash of battle roar'd,
‘When death rain'd blood from spear and sword,
‘When, in the tempest of alarms,
‘Horse roll'd on horse, arms clash'd with arms,
‘Such acts I saw by others done,
‘Such perils brav'd, such trophies won,
‘That, while my patriot bosom glow'd,
‘Though some faint skill, some strength I show'd,
‘And, no dull gazer on the field,
‘This hero slew, that forc'd to yield,
‘Yet, meek humility, to thee,
‘When Erjun fought, low sunk my knee:
‘But, ere the din of war began,
‘When black'ning cheeks just mark'd the man
‘Myself invincible I deem'd,
‘And great, without a rival, seem'd.
‘Whene'er I sought the sportful plain,
‘No youth of all the martial train
‘With arm so strong, or eye so true
‘The Checra's pointed circle threw;
‘None, when the polish'd cane we bent,
‘So far the light-wing'd arrow sent;
‘None from the broad elastic reed,
‘Like me, gave Agnyastra speed,
‘Or spread its flames with nicer art
‘In many an unextinguish'd dart;
‘Or, when in imitated fight
‘We sported till departing light,
‘None saw me to the ring advance
‘With falchion keen or quiv'ring lance,
‘Whose force my rooted seat could shake,
‘Or on my steel impression make:
‘No charioteer, no racer fleet
‘O'ertook my wheels or rapid feet.
‘Next, when the woody heights we sought,
‘With madd'ning elephants I fought:
‘In vain their high-priz'd tusks they gnash'd;
‘Their trunked heads my Geda mash'd.
‘No buffalo, with phrensy strong,
‘Could bear my clatt'ring thunder long;
‘No pard or tiger, from the wood
‘Reluctant brought, this arm withstood.
‘Pride in my heart his mansion fix'd,
‘And with pure drops black poison mix'd.’
Thus, penitent, his failings told:
‘From clouds, by folly rais'd, these eyes
‘Experience clear'd, and made me wise;
‘For, when the crash of battle roar'd,
‘When death rain'd blood from spear and sword,
‘When, in the tempest of alarms,
‘Horse roll'd on horse, arms clash'd with arms,
‘Such acts I saw by others done,
‘Such perils brav'd, such trophies won,
‘That, while my patriot bosom glow'd,
‘Though some faint skill, some strength I show'd,
‘And, no dull gazer on the field,
‘This hero slew, that forc'd to yield,
‘Yet, meek humility, to thee,
‘When Erjun fought, low sunk my knee:
‘But, ere the din of war began,
‘When black'ning cheeks just mark'd the man
‘Myself invincible I deem'd,
‘And great, without a rival, seem'd.
‘Whene'er I sought the sportful plain,
‘No youth of all the martial train
‘With arm so strong, or eye so true
‘The Checra's pointed circle threw;
182
‘So far the light-wing'd arrow sent;
‘None from the broad elastic reed,
‘Like me, gave Agnyastra speed,
‘Or spread its flames with nicer art
‘In many an unextinguish'd dart;
‘Or, when in imitated fight
‘We sported till departing light,
‘None saw me to the ring advance
‘With falchion keen or quiv'ring lance,
‘Whose force my rooted seat could shake,
‘Or on my steel impression make:
‘No charioteer, no racer fleet
‘O'ertook my wheels or rapid feet.
‘Next, when the woody heights we sought,
‘With madd'ning elephants I fought:
‘In vain their high-priz'd tusks they gnash'd;
‘Their trunked heads my Geda mash'd.
‘No buffalo, with phrensy strong,
‘Could bear my clatt'ring thunder long;
‘No pard or tiger, from the wood
‘Reluctant brought, this arm withstood.
‘Pride in my heart his mansion fix'd,
‘And with pure drops black poison mix'd.’
Swift rose the fruit, exalted now
Ten cubits from his natal bough.
Fair Draupady, with soft delay,
Then spake: ‘Heav'n's mandate I obey;
‘Though nought essential to be known,
‘Has heav'n to learn, or I to own.
‘When scarce a damsel, scarce a child,
‘In early bloom your handmaid smil'd,
‘Love of the World her fancy mov'd,
‘Vain pageantry her heart approv'd:
‘Her form, she thought, and lovely mien,
‘All must admire, when all had seen:
‘A thirst of pleasure and of praise
‘(With shame I speak) engross'd my days;
‘Nor were my night-thoughts, I confess,
‘Free from solicitude for dress;
‘How best to bind my flowing hair
‘With art, yet with an artless air;
‘(My hair, like musk in scent and hue;
‘Oh! blacker far and sweeter too;)
‘In what nice braid or glossy curl
‘To fix a diamond or a pearl,
‘And where to smooth the love-spread toils
‘With nard or jasmin's fragrant oils;
‘How to adjust the golden Teic ,
‘And most adorn my forehead sleek;
‘What Condals should emblaze my ears,
‘Like Seita's waves or Seita's tears ;
‘How elegantly to dispose
‘Bright circlets from my well-form'd nose;
‘With strings of rubies how to deck,
‘Or em'rald rows, my stately neck,
‘While some that ebon tow'r embrac'd,
‘Some pendent sought my slender waist;
‘How next my purfled veil to choose
‘From silken stores of varied hues;
‘Which would attract the roving view,
‘Pink, violet, purple, orange, blue;
‘The loveliest mantle to select,
‘Or unembellish'd or bedeck'd;
‘And how my twisted scarf to place
‘With most inimitable grace;
‘(Too thin its warp, too fine its woof,
‘For eyes of males not beauty-proof;)
‘What skirts the mantle best would suit,
‘Ornate with stars or tissued fruit,
‘The flow'r-embroider'd or the plain
‘With silver or with golden vein;
‘The Chury bright, which gayly shows
‘Fair objects, aptly to compose;
‘How each smooth arm and each soft wrist
‘By richest Cosecs might be kiss'd;
‘While some, my taper ankles round,
‘With sunny radiance ting'd the ground.
‘O waste of many a precious hour!
‘O Vanity, how vast thy pow'r!
Cubits twice four th'ambrosial flew,
Still from its branch disjoin'd by two.
Ten cubits from his natal bough.
183
Then spake: ‘Heav'n's mandate I obey;
‘Though nought essential to be known,
‘Has heav'n to learn, or I to own.
‘When scarce a damsel, scarce a child,
‘In early bloom your handmaid smil'd,
‘Love of the World her fancy mov'd,
‘Vain pageantry her heart approv'd:
‘Her form, she thought, and lovely mien,
‘All must admire, when all had seen:
‘A thirst of pleasure and of praise
‘(With shame I speak) engross'd my days;
‘Nor were my night-thoughts, I confess,
‘Free from solicitude for dress;
‘How best to bind my flowing hair
‘With art, yet with an artless air;
‘(My hair, like musk in scent and hue;
‘Oh! blacker far and sweeter too;)
‘In what nice braid or glossy curl
‘To fix a diamond or a pearl,
‘And where to smooth the love-spread toils
‘With nard or jasmin's fragrant oils;
‘How to adjust the golden Teic ,
‘And most adorn my forehead sleek;
‘What Condals should emblaze my ears,
‘Like Seita's waves or Seita's tears ;
184
‘Bright circlets from my well-form'd nose;
‘With strings of rubies how to deck,
‘Or em'rald rows, my stately neck,
‘While some that ebon tow'r embrac'd,
‘Some pendent sought my slender waist;
‘How next my purfled veil to choose
‘From silken stores of varied hues;
‘Which would attract the roving view,
‘Pink, violet, purple, orange, blue;
‘The loveliest mantle to select,
‘Or unembellish'd or bedeck'd;
‘And how my twisted scarf to place
‘With most inimitable grace;
‘(Too thin its warp, too fine its woof,
‘For eyes of males not beauty-proof;)
‘What skirts the mantle best would suit,
‘Ornate with stars or tissued fruit,
‘The flow'r-embroider'd or the plain
‘With silver or with golden vein;
‘The Chury bright, which gayly shows
‘Fair objects, aptly to compose;
‘How each smooth arm and each soft wrist
‘By richest Cosecs might be kiss'd;
‘While some, my taper ankles round,
‘With sunny radiance ting'd the ground.
‘O waste of many a precious hour!
‘O Vanity, how vast thy pow'r!
185
Still from its branch disjoin'd by two.
Each husband now, with wild surprise,
His compeers and his consort eyes;
When Yudishteir: ‘Thy female breast
‘Some faults, perfidious, hath suppress'd.
‘Oh! give the close-lock'd secret room,
‘Unfold its bud, expand its bloom;
‘Lest, sinking with our crumbled halls,
‘We see red flames devour their walls.’
Abash'd, yet with a decent pride,
Firm Draupady the fact denied;
Till, through an orchard alley green,
The limit of that sacred scene,
She saw the dreaded Muny go
With steps majestically slow;
Then said: (a stifled sigh she stole,
And show'd the conflict of her soul
By broken speech and flutt'ring heart:
‘One trifle more I must impart:
‘A Brahmen learn'd, of pure intent
‘And look demure, one morn you sent,
‘With me, from Sanscrit old, to read
‘Each high Puran each holy Veid.
‘His thread, which Brehmá's lineage show'd,
‘O'er his left shoulder graceful flow'd;
‘Of Crishna and his nymphs he redde,
‘How with nine Maids the dance he led;
‘How they ador'd, and he repaid
‘Their homage in the sylvan shade.
‘While this gay tale my spirits cheer'd,
‘So keen the Pendit's eyes appear'd,
‘So sweet his voice—a blameless fire
‘This bosom could not but inspire.
‘Bright as a God he seem'd to stand.
‘The rev'rend volume left his hand,
‘With mine he press'd’—With deep despair
Brothers on Brothers wildly stare:
From Erjun flew a wrathful glance;
Tow'rd them they saw their dread advance;
Then, trembling, breathless, pale with fear,
‘Hear!’ said the Matron, ‘calmly hear!
‘By Tulsy's leaf the truth I speak—
‘The Brahmen only kiss'd my cheek.’
His compeers and his consort eyes;
When Yudishteir: ‘Thy female breast
‘Some faults, perfidious, hath suppress'd.
‘Oh! give the close-lock'd secret room,
‘Unfold its bud, expand its bloom;
‘Lest, sinking with our crumbled halls,
‘We see red flames devour their walls.’
Abash'd, yet with a decent pride,
Firm Draupady the fact denied;
Till, through an orchard alley green,
The limit of that sacred scene,
She saw the dreaded Muny go
With steps majestically slow;
Then said: (a stifled sigh she stole,
And show'd the conflict of her soul
By broken speech and flutt'ring heart:
‘One trifle more I must impart:
‘A Brahmen learn'd, of pure intent
‘And look demure, one morn you sent,
‘With me, from Sanscrit old, to read
‘Each high Puran each holy Veid.
‘His thread, which Brehmá's lineage show'd,
‘O'er his left shoulder graceful flow'd;
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‘How with nine Maids the dance he led;
‘How they ador'd, and he repaid
‘Their homage in the sylvan shade.
‘While this gay tale my spirits cheer'd,
‘So keen the Pendit's eyes appear'd,
‘So sweet his voice—a blameless fire
‘This bosom could not but inspire.
‘Bright as a God he seem'd to stand.
‘The rev'rend volume left his hand,
‘With mine he press'd’—With deep despair
Brothers on Brothers wildly stare:
From Erjun flew a wrathful glance;
Tow'rd them they saw their dread advance;
Then, trembling, breathless, pale with fear,
‘Hear!’ said the Matron, ‘calmly hear!
‘By Tulsy's leaf the truth I speak—
‘The Brahmen only kiss'd my cheek.’
Strait its full height the wonder rose,
Glad with its native branch to close.
Glad with its native branch to close.
Now to the walk approach'd the Sage,
Exulting in his verdant age:
His hands, that touch'd his front, express'd
Due rev'rence to each princely guest,
Whom to his rural board he led
In simple delicacy spread,
With curds their palates to regale,
And cream-cups from the Gopia's pail.
Could you, ye Fair! like this black wife,
Restore us to primeval life,
And bid that apple, pluck'd for Eve
By him, who might all wives deceive,
Hang from its parent bough once more
Divine and perfect, as before,
Would you confess your little faults?
(Great ones were never in your thoughts;)
Would you the secret wish unfold,
Or in your heart's full casket hold?
Would you disclose your inmost mind,
And speak plain truth, to bless mankind?
Exulting in his verdant age:
His hands, that touch'd his front, express'd
Due rev'rence to each princely guest,
Whom to his rural board he led
In simple delicacy spread,
With curds their palates to regale,
And cream-cups from the Gopia's pail.
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Restore us to primeval life,
And bid that apple, pluck'd for Eve
By him, who might all wives deceive,
Hang from its parent bough once more
Divine and perfect, as before,
Would you confess your little faults?
(Great ones were never in your thoughts;)
Would you the secret wish unfold,
Or in your heart's full casket hold?
Would you disclose your inmost mind,
And speak plain truth, to bless mankind?
‘What!’ said the guardian of our realm,
‘With waving crest and fiery helm,
‘What! are the Fair, whose heav'nly smiles
‘Rain glory through my cherish'd Isles,
‘Are they less virtuous or less true
‘Than Indian dames of sooty hue?
‘No, by these arms. The cold surmise
‘And doubt injurious vainly rise.
‘Yet dares a bard, who better knows,
‘This point distrustfully propose;
‘Vain fabler now! though oft before
‘His harp has cheer'd my sounding shore.’
‘With waving crest and fiery helm,
‘What! are the Fair, whose heav'nly smiles
‘Rain glory through my cherish'd Isles,
‘Are they less virtuous or less true
‘Than Indian dames of sooty hue?
‘No, by these arms. The cold surmise
‘And doubt injurious vainly rise.
‘Yet dares a bard, who better knows,
‘This point distrustfully propose;
‘Vain fabler now! though oft before
‘His harp has cheer'd my sounding shore.’
With brow austere the martial maid
Spoke, and majestic trod the glade:
To that fell cave her course she held,
Where Scandal, bane of mortals, dwell'd.
Outstretch'd on filth the pest she found,
Black fetid venom streaming round:
A gloomy light just serv'd to show
The darkness of the den below.
Britannia with resistless might
Soon dragg'd him from his darling night:
The snakes, that o'er his body curl'd
And flung his poison through the world,
Confounded with the flash of day,
Hiss'd horribly a hellish lay.
His eyes with flames and blood suffus'd,
Long to the ethereal beam unus'd,
Fierce in their gory sockets roll'd;
And desperation made him bold:
Pleas'd with the thought of human woes,
On scaly dragon feet he rose.
Thus, when Asurs with impious rage,
Durst horrid war with Dévtás wage,
And darted many a burning mass
E'en on the brow of gemm'd Cailás,
High o'er the rest, on serpents rear'd,
The griesly king of Deits appear'd.
Spoke, and majestic trod the glade:
To that fell cave her course she held,
Where Scandal, bane of mortals, dwell'd.
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Black fetid venom streaming round:
A gloomy light just serv'd to show
The darkness of the den below.
Britannia with resistless might
Soon dragg'd him from his darling night:
The snakes, that o'er his body curl'd
And flung his poison through the world,
Confounded with the flash of day,
Hiss'd horribly a hellish lay.
His eyes with flames and blood suffus'd,
Long to the ethereal beam unus'd,
Fierce in their gory sockets roll'd;
And desperation made him bold:
Pleas'd with the thought of human woes,
On scaly dragon feet he rose.
Thus, when Asurs with impious rage,
Durst horrid war with Dévtás wage,
And darted many a burning mass
E'en on the brow of gemm'd Cailás,
High o'er the rest, on serpents rear'd,
The griesly king of Deits appear'd.
The nymph beheld the fiend advance,
And couch'd the far-extending lance:
Dire drops he threw; th'infernal tide
Her helm and silver hauberk dyed:
Her moonlight shield before her hung;
The monster struck, the monster stung:
Her spear with many a griding wound
Fast nail'd him to the groaning ground.
The wretch, from juster vengeance free,
Immortal born by heav'n's decree,
With chains of adamant secur'd,
Deep in cold gloom she left immur'd.
And couch'd the far-extending lance:
Dire drops he threw; th'infernal tide
Her helm and silver hauberk dyed:
Her moonlight shield before her hung;
The monster struck, the monster stung:
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Fast nail'd him to the groaning ground.
The wretch, from juster vengeance free,
Immortal born by heav'n's decree,
With chains of adamant secur'd,
Deep in cold gloom she left immur'd.
Now reign at will, victorious Fair!
In British or in Indian air;
Still with each envying flow'r adorn
Your tresses radiant as the morn;
Still let each Asiatic dye
Rich tints for your gay robes supply;
Still through the dance's labyrinth float,
And swell the sweetly-lengthen'd note;
Still, on proud steeds or glitt'ring cars,
Rise on the course like beamy stars;
And when charm'd circles round you close,
Of rhyming bards and smiling beaux,
Whilst all with eager looks contend
Their wit or worth to recommend,
Still let your mild, yet piercing, eyes
Impartially adjudge the prize.
In British or in Indian air;
Still with each envying flow'r adorn
Your tresses radiant as the morn;
Still let each Asiatic dye
Rich tints for your gay robes supply;
Still through the dance's labyrinth float,
And swell the sweetly-lengthen'd note;
Still, on proud steeds or glitt'ring cars,
Rise on the course like beamy stars;
And when charm'd circles round you close,
Of rhyming bards and smiling beaux,
Whilst all with eager looks contend
Their wit or worth to recommend,
Still let your mild, yet piercing, eyes
Impartially adjudge the prize.
The Vayds, or sacred writings of Brahma, called Rig, Sam, and Yejar: doubts have been raised concerning the authority of the fourth, or At'herven, Vayd.
The Earthen Age, or that of Caly or Impurity: this verse alludes to Caley, the Hecate of the Indians.
A round number is chosen; but the Caly Yug, a little before which Crishna disappeared from this world, began 4884 years ago, that is, according to our chronologists, 747 before the flood; and by the calculation of M. Bailly, but 454 after the foundation of the Indian empire.
This war, which Crishna fomented in favour of the Pandu Prince, Yudhishteir, supplied Vyas with the subject of his noble Epic Poem Mahabharat.
This word is commonly pronounced with a strong accent on the last letter, but the preceding vowel is short in Sengscrit. The prince is called on the coast Dherme Raj, or Chief Magistrate.
The Geita, containing instructions to Erjun, was composed by Crishna, who peculiarly distinguished him.
Yudheishteir and Draupady, called Drobada by M. Sonnerat, are deified on the coast; and their feast, of which that writer exhibits an engraving, is named the Procession of Fire, because she passed every year from one of her five husbands to another, after a solemn purification by that element. In the Bhasha language her name is written DROPTY.
This will receive illustration from a passage in the Ramayen: ‘Even he, who cannot be slain by the ponderous arms of Indra, nor by those of Caly, nor by the terrible Cheera (or Discus) of Vishnu, shall be destroyed, if a Brahmen execrate him, as if he were consumed by fire.’
| The poetical works of Sir William Jones | |