The poetical works of Sir William Jones With the life of the author ... in two volumes |
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 | II. | VOL. II. |
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 | The poetical works of Sir William Jones |  |
II. VOL. II.
HIS were the stores of letter'd Time,—compress'd,
The mind of ages in a single breast;
The glance to catch, the patience to inquire,
The sage's temper, and the poet's fire.
WRANGHAM.
The mind of ages in a single breast;
The glance to catch, the patience to inquire,
The sage's temper, and the poet's fire.
WRANGHAM.
Accomplish'd JONES! whose hand to ev'ry art
Could unknown charms and nameless grace impart;
—The song to Virtue as the Muses dear;
Tho' glowing, chaste; and lovely, though severe.
What gorgeous trophies crown his youthful bloom,
The spoils august of Athens and of Rome!
And, lo! untouch'd by British brows before,
Yet nobler trophies wait on Asia's shore;
There at his magic voice, what wonders rise!
Th'astonish'd East unfolds her mysteries;
Round her dark shrines, a sudden blaze he showers,
And, all unveil'd, the proud Pantheon towers.
GRANT.
Could unknown charms and nameless grace impart;
—The song to Virtue as the Muses dear;
Tho' glowing, chaste; and lovely, though severe.
What gorgeous trophies crown his youthful bloom,
The spoils august of Athens and of Rome!
And, lo! untouch'd by British brows before,
Yet nobler trophies wait on Asia's shore;
There at his magic voice, what wonders rise!
Th'astonish'd East unfolds her mysteries;
Round her dark shrines, a sudden blaze he showers,
And, all unveil'd, the proud Pantheon towers.
GRANT.
5
ODES.
AN ODE OF PETRARCH,
TO THE FOUNTAIN OF VALCHIUSA.
Ye clear and sparkling streams!(Warm'd by the sunny beams,)
Through whose transparent crystal Laura play'd;
Ye boughs, that deck the grove,
Where Spring her chaplets wove,
While Laura lay beneath the quivering shade ;
6
That crown yon vernal bowers,
For ever fatal, yet for ever dear;
And ye, that heard my sighs
When first she charm'd my eyes,
Soft-breathing gales! my dying accents hear.
If heaven has fix'd my doom,
That Love must quite consume
My bursting heart, and close my eyes in death;
Ah! grant this slight request,—
That, here, my urn may rest,
When to its mansion flies my vital breath.
7
My anxious mind, and sooth
The pangs of that inevitable hour;
My spirit will not grieve
Her mortal veil to leave
In these calm shades, and this enchanting bow'r.
Haply the guilty maid
Through yon accustom'd glade
To my sad tomb will take her lonely way;
Where first her beauty's light
O'erpower'd my dazzled sight,
When Love on this fair border bade me stray:
There, sorrowing, shall she see,
Beneath an aged tree,
8
Too late, her tender sighs
Shall melt the pitying skies,
And her soft veil shall hide the gushing tear.
O! well-remember'd day,
When on yon bank she lay
Meek in her pride, and in her rigor mild;
The young and blooming flowers,
Falling in fragrant showers,
Shone on her neck, and on her bosom smil'd:
Some on her mantle hung,
Some in her locks were strung,
9
Some, in a spicy cloud
Descending, call'd aloud,
‘Here Love and Youth the reins of empire hold.’
I view'd the heavenly maid;
And, rapt in wonder, said,
‘The groves of Eden gave this angel birth:’
Her look, her voice, her smile,
That might all heaven beguile,
Wafted my soul above the realms of earth:
The star-bespangled skies
Were open'd to my eyes;
Sighing I said, ‘Whence rose this glittering scene?’
10
This bank, and odorous bower,
My morning couch, and evening haunt, have been.
Well mayst thou blush, my song,
To leave the rural throng,
And fly thus artless to my Laura's ear;
But, were thy poet's fire
Ardent as his desire,
Thou wert a song that heaven might stoop to hear.
M. de Voltaire has given us a beautiful paraphrase of this first stanza, though it is certain that he had never read the ode in the original, or at most only the three first lines of it; for he asserts, that the Italian song is irregular; and without rhymes; whereas the stanzas are perfectly regular, and the rhymes very exact. His design was to give Madame du Chatelet, for whom he wrote his history, an idea of Petrarch's style but, if she had only read his imitation, she could have but an imperfect notion of the Italian, which the reader will easily perceive by comparing them.
12
AN ODE OF JAMI,
IN THE PERSIAN FORM AND MEASURE.
How sweet the gale of morning breathes!Sweet news of my delight he brings;
News, that the rose will soon approach
the tuneful bird of night, he brings.
Soon will a thousand parted souls
be led, his captives, through the sky,
Since tidings, which in every heart
must ardent flames excite, he brings.
Late near my charmer's flowing robe
he pass'd, and kiss'd the fragrant hem;
Thence, odour to the rose-bud's veil,
and jasmine's mantle white he brings.
Painful is absence, and that pain
to some base rival oft is ow'd;
Thou know'st, dear maid! when to thine ear
false tales, contriv'd in spite, he brings.
Why should I trace loves mazy path,
since destiny my bliss forbids?
Black destiny! my lot is woe,
to me no ray of light he brings.
In vain, a friend his mind disturbs,
in vain a childish trouble gives,
When sage physician to the couch,
of heartsick love-lorn wight, he brings.
A roving stranger in thy town
no guidance can sad Jami find,
Till this his name, and rambling lay
to thine all-piercing sight he brings.
13
THE MUSE RECALLED;
AN ODE ON THE NUPTIALS OF LORD VISCOUNT ALTHORP, AND MISS LAVINIA BINGHAM, ELDEST DAUGHTER OF CHARLES, LORD LUCAN, MARCH 6, 1781.
Return, celestial Muse!
By whose bright fingers o'er my infant head,
Lull'd with immortal symphony, were spread
Fresh bays and flow'rets of a thousand hues;
Return! thy golden lyre,
Chorded with sunny rays of temper'd fire,
Which in Astræa's fane I fondly hung,
Bold I reclaim: but ah! sweet maid,
Bereft of thy propitious aid,
My voice is tuneless, and my harp unstrung.
In vain I call—What charm, what potent spell
Shall kindle into life the long unwaken'd shell?
Haste! the well-wrought
basket bring,
Which two sister Graces wove,
When the third, whose praise I sing,
Blushing sought the bridal grove,
Where the slow-descending sun
Gilt the bow'rs of Wimbledon.
In the vase mysterious fling
Pinks and roses gemm'd with dew,
Flow'rs of ev'ry varied hue,
Daughters fair of early spring,
Laughing sweet with sapphire eyes,
Or with Iris' mingled dyes:
Then around the basket go,
Tripping light with silent pace,
While, with solemn voice and slow,
Thrice pronouncing thrice I trace
On the silken texture bright,
Character'd in beamy light,
Names of more than mortal pow'r,
Sweetest influence to diffuse;
Names, that from her shadiest bow'r
Draw the soft reluctant Muse.
By whose bright fingers o'er my infant head,
Lull'd with immortal symphony, were spread
Fresh bays and flow'rets of a thousand hues;
Return! thy golden lyre,
Chorded with sunny rays of temper'd fire,
Which in Astræa's fane I fondly hung,
Bold I reclaim: but ah! sweet maid,
Bereft of thy propitious aid,
My voice is tuneless, and my harp unstrung.
In vain I call—What charm, what potent spell
Shall kindle into life the long unwaken'd shell?
14
Which two sister Graces wove,
When the third, whose praise I sing,
Blushing sought the bridal grove,
Where the slow-descending sun
Gilt the bow'rs of Wimbledon.
In the vase mysterious fling
Pinks and roses gemm'd with dew,
Flow'rs of ev'ry varied hue,
Daughters fair of early spring,
Laughing sweet with sapphire eyes,
Or with Iris' mingled dyes:
Then around the basket go,
Tripping light with silent pace,
While, with solemn voice and slow,
Thrice pronouncing thrice I trace
On the silken texture bright,
Character'd in beamy light,
Names of more than mortal pow'r,
Sweetest influence to diffuse;
Names, that from her shadiest bow'r
Draw the soft reluctant Muse.
First, I with living gems enchase
The name of her, whom for this festive day
With Zone and Mantle elegantly gay
The Graces have adorn'd, herself a Grace,
Molesworth—hark! a swelling note
Seems on Zephyr's wing to float,
Or has vain hope my flatter'd sense beguil'd?
Next her who braided many a flow'r
To deck her sister's nuptial bow'r,
Bingham, with gentle heart and aspect mild:
The charm prevails—I hear, I hear
Strains nearer yet, and yet more near.
Still ye nymphs and youths advance,
Sprinkle still the balmy show'r,
Mingle still the mazy dance,
Two names of unresisted pow'r,
Behold, in radiant characters I write:
O rise! O leave thy secret shrine,
For they, who all thy nymphal train outshine,
Duncannon , heavenly muse, and Devonshire invite.
The name of her, whom for this festive day
With Zone and Mantle elegantly gay
The Graces have adorn'd, herself a Grace,
15
Seems on Zephyr's wing to float,
Or has vain hope my flatter'd sense beguil'd?
Next her who braided many a flow'r
To deck her sister's nuptial bow'r,
Bingham, with gentle heart and aspect mild:
The charm prevails—I hear, I hear
Strains nearer yet, and yet more near.
Still ye nymphs and youths advance,
Sprinkle still the balmy show'r,
Mingle still the mazy dance,
Two names of unresisted pow'r,
Behold, in radiant characters I write:
O rise! O leave thy secret shrine,
For they, who all thy nymphal train outshine,
Duncannon , heavenly muse, and Devonshire invite.
Saw ye not yon myrtle wave?
Heard ye not a warbled strain?
Yes! the harp which Clio gave,
Shall his ancient sound regain.
One dearer name remains. Prepare, prepare!
She comes—how swift th'impatient air
Drinks the rising accent sweet!
Soon the charm shall be complete.
Return and wake the silent string;
Return, sweet Muse, for Althorp bids me sing.
'Tis she—and, as she smiles, the breathing lyre
Leaps from his silken bands, and darts ethereal fire.
Heard ye not a warbled strain?
Yes! the harp which Clio gave,
Shall his ancient sound regain.
One dearer name remains. Prepare, prepare!
She comes—how swift th'impatient air
Drinks the rising accent sweet!
Soon the charm shall be complete.
16
Return, sweet Muse, for Althorp bids me sing.
'Tis she—and, as she smiles, the breathing lyre
Leaps from his silken bands, and darts ethereal fire.
Bright son of ev'ning, lucid star,
Auspicious rise thy soften'd beam,
Admir'd ere Cynthia's pearly car
O'er heav'n's pure azure spreads her gleam:
Thou saw'st the blooming pair,
Like thee serenely fair,
By love united and the nuptial vow,
Thou see'st the mirthful train
Dance to th'unlabor'd strain,
See'st bound with myrtle ev'ry youthful brow.
Shine forth, ye silver eyes of night,
And gaze on virtues crown'd with treasures of delight.
Auspicious rise thy soften'd beam,
Admir'd ere Cynthia's pearly car
O'er heav'n's pure azure spreads her gleam:
Thou saw'st the blooming pair,
Like thee serenely fair,
By love united and the nuptial vow,
Thou see'st the mirthful train
Dance to th'unlabor'd strain,
See'st bound with myrtle ev'ry youthful brow.
Shine forth, ye silver eyes of night,
And gaze on virtues crown'd with treasures of delight.
And thou, the golden-tressed child of morn,
Whene'er thy all-inspiring heat
Bids bursting rose-buds hill and mead adorn,
See them with every gift that Jove bestows,
With ev'ry joy replete,
Save, when they melt at sight of human woes.
Flow smoothly, circling hours,
And o'er their heads unblended pleasure pour;
Nor let your fleeting round
Their mortal transports bound,
But fill their cup of bliss, eternal pow'rs,
Till Time himself shall cease, and suns shall blaze no more.
Each morn, reclin'd on many a rose,
Lavinia's pencil shall disclose
New forms of dignity and grace,
Th'expressive air, th'impassion'd face,
The curled smile, the bubbling tear,
The bloom of hope, the snow of fear,
To some poetic tale fresh beauty give,
And bid the starting tablet rise and live;
Or with swift fingers shall she touch the strings.
And in the magic loom of harmony
Notes of such wondrous texture weave,
As lift the soul on seraph wings,
Which, as they soar above the jasper sky,
Below them suns unknown and worlds unnumber'd leave.
Whene'er thy all-inspiring heat
Bids bursting rose-buds hill and mead adorn,
See them with every gift that Jove bestows,
With ev'ry joy replete,
Save, when they melt at sight of human woes.
Flow smoothly, circling hours,
And o'er their heads unblended pleasure pour;
Nor let your fleeting round
Their mortal transports bound,
But fill their cup of bliss, eternal pow'rs,
Till Time himself shall cease, and suns shall blaze no more.
17
Lavinia's pencil shall disclose
New forms of dignity and grace,
Th'expressive air, th'impassion'd face,
The curled smile, the bubbling tear,
The bloom of hope, the snow of fear,
To some poetic tale fresh beauty give,
And bid the starting tablet rise and live;
Or with swift fingers shall she touch the strings.
And in the magic loom of harmony
Notes of such wondrous texture weave,
As lift the soul on seraph wings,
Which, as they soar above the jasper sky,
Below them suns unknown and worlds unnumber'd leave.
While thou by list'ning crowds approv'd,
Lov'd by the Muse and by the poet lov'd,
Althorp, shouldst emulate the fame
Of Roman Patriots and th'Athenian name;
Shouldst charm with full persuasive eloquence,
With all thy mother's grace, and all thy father's sense,
Th'applauding senate; whilst, above thy head,
Exulting Liberty should smile,
Then, bidding dragon-born contention cease,
Should knit the dance with meek-eyed peace,
And by thy voice impell'd should spread
An universal joy around her cherish'd isle.
But ah! thy public virtues, youth! are vain
In this voluptuous, this abandon'd age,
When Albion's sons with frantic rage,
In crimes alone and recreant baseness bold,
Freedom and Concord, with their weeping train,
Repudiate; slaves of vice, and slaves of gold!
They, on starry pinions sailing
Through the crystal fields of air,
Mourn their efforts unavailing,
Lost persuasions, fruitless care:
Truth, Justice, Reason, Valour, with them fly
To seek a purer soil, a more congenial sky.
Lov'd by the Muse and by the poet lov'd,
Althorp, shouldst emulate the fame
Of Roman Patriots and th'Athenian name;
Shouldst charm with full persuasive eloquence,
With all thy mother's grace, and all thy father's sense,
Th'applauding senate; whilst, above thy head,
Exulting Liberty should smile,
Then, bidding dragon-born contention cease,
Should knit the dance with meek-eyed peace,
18
An universal joy around her cherish'd isle.
But ah! thy public virtues, youth! are vain
In this voluptuous, this abandon'd age,
When Albion's sons with frantic rage,
In crimes alone and recreant baseness bold,
Freedom and Concord, with their weeping train,
Repudiate; slaves of vice, and slaves of gold!
They, on starry pinions sailing
Through the crystal fields of air,
Mourn their efforts unavailing,
Lost persuasions, fruitless care:
Truth, Justice, Reason, Valour, with them fly
To seek a purer soil, a more congenial sky.
Beyond the vast Atlantic deep
A dome by viewless Genii shall be raised,
The walls of adamant compact and steep,
The portals with sky-tinctur'd gems emblaz'd:
There on a lofty throne shall virtue stand;
To her the youth of Delaware shall kneel;
And, when her smiles rain plenty o'er the land,
Bow, tyrants, bow beneath th'avenging steel!
Commerce with fleets shall mock the waves,
And arts, that flourish not with slaves,
Dancing with every Grace and ev'ry Muse,
Shall bid the vallies laugh and heav'nly beams diffuse.
She ceases; and a strange delight
Still vibrates on my ravish'd ear:
What floods of glory drown my sight!
What scenes I view! what sounds I hear!
A dome by viewless Genii shall be raised,
The walls of adamant compact and steep,
The portals with sky-tinctur'd gems emblaz'd:
There on a lofty throne shall virtue stand;
To her the youth of Delaware shall kneel;
And, when her smiles rain plenty o'er the land,
Bow, tyrants, bow beneath th'avenging steel!
Commerce with fleets shall mock the waves,
And arts, that flourish not with slaves,
Dancing with every Grace and ev'ry Muse,
Shall bid the vallies laugh and heav'nly beams diffuse.
She ceases; and a strange delight
Still vibrates on my ravish'd ear:
What floods of glory drown my sight!
What scenes I view! what sounds I hear!
19
This for my friend—but, gentle nymphs, no more
Dare I with spells divine the Muse recall:
Then, fatal harp, thy transient rapture o'er,
Calm I replace thee on the sacred wall.
Ah! see how lifeless hangs the lyre,
Not lightning now, but glitt'ring wire!
Me to the brawling bar and wrangles high
Bright-hair'd Sabrina calls and rosy-bosom'd Wye.
Dare I with spells divine the Muse recall:
Then, fatal harp, thy transient rapture o'er,
Calm I replace thee on the sacred wall.
Ah! see how lifeless hangs the lyre,
Not lightning now, but glitt'ring wire!
Me to the brawling bar and wrangles high
Bright-hair'd Sabrina calls and rosy-bosom'd Wye.
Miss Louisa Bingham, and Miss Frances Molesworth, her cousin, decked a basket with ribands and flowers to hold the nuptial presents.
Lady Henrietta Spencer, second daughter of John Earl Spencer, and wife of the Lord Viscount Duncannon, eldest son of the Earl of Besborough.
Lady Georgiana, eldest daughter of Earl Spencer, and wife of William Cavendish, fifth Duke of Devonshire.
Lady Althorp has an extraordinary talent for drawing historic subjects, and expressing the passions in the most simple manner.
20
AN ODE IN IMITATION OF ALCÆUS.
Ου λιθοι, ουδε ξυλα, εδε
Τεχυη τεκτονων αι πολεις εισιν
Αλλ' οπου ποτ' αν ωσιν)/ ΑΝΔΡΕΣ
Αυτους σωζειν ειδοτες,
Ενταυθα τειχη και πολεις.
ALC. quoted by ARISTIDES.
Τεχυη τεκτονων αι πολεις εισιν
Αλλ' οπου ποτ' αν ωσιν)/ ΑΝΔΡΕΣ
Αυτους σωζειν ειδοτες,
Ενταυθα τειχη και πολεις.
ALC. quoted by ARISTIDES.
What constitutes a state?
Not high rais'd battlement or labor'd mound,
Thick wall or moated gate;
Not cities proud with spires and turrets crown'd;
Not bays and broad-arm'd ports,
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride,
Not starr'd and spangled courts,
Where low-brow'd baseness wafts perfume to pride.
NO:—Men, high-minded Men,
With pow'rs as far above dull brutes endued,
In forest, brake, or den,
As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude;
Men, who their duties know,
But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain,
Prevent the long-aim'd blow,
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain:
21
And sov'reign Law, that state's collected will,
O'er thrones and globes elate
Sits Empress, crowning good, repressing ill;
Smit by her sacred frown
The fiend, Discretion, like a vapour sinks,
And e'en th'all-dazzling Crown
Hides his faint rays, and at her bidding shrinks.
Such was this heav'n lov'd isle,
Than Lesbos fairer and the Cretan shore;
No more shall freedom smile?
Shall Britons languish, and be Men no more?
Since all must life resign,
Those sweet rewards, which decorate the brave,
'Tis folly to decline,
And steal inglorious to the silent grave.
Abergavenny, March 31, 1781.
22
AN ODE IN IMITATION OF CALLISTRATUS.
Εν μυρτου κλαδι το ξιφος φορησω,
Ωσπερ Αρμοδιος κ' Αριστογειτων,
Οτε τον τυραννον κτανετων
Ισονομους τ' Αθηνας εποιησατην.
κ. τ. λ.
Ωσπερ Αρμοδιος κ' Αριστογειτων,
Οτε τον τυραννον κτανετων
Ισονομους τ' Αθηνας εποιησατην.
κ. τ. λ.
Quod si post Idus illias Martias e Tyrannoctonis quispiam tale
aliquod carmen plebi tradidisset inque Suburram et fori circulos
et in ora vulgi intulisset, actum profecto fuisset de partibus
deque dominatione Cæsarum; plus mehercule valuisset unum
Αρμοδιου μελος quam Ciceronis Philippicæ omnes.
LOWTH De Sacra Poesi, Præl. 1.
Verdant myrtle's branchy pride
Shall my biting falchion wreathe:
Soon shall grace each manly side
Tubes that speak, and points that breathe.
Thus Harmodius! shone thy blade;
Thus Aristogiton! thine:
Whose, when Britain sighs for aid,
Whose shall now delay to shine?
Dearest youths, in islands blest,
Not, like recreant idlers, dead,
23
And with godlike Diomed.
Verdant myrtle's branchy pride
Shall my thirsty blade entwine:
Such, Harmodius! deck'd thy side;
Such, Aristogiton! thine.
They the base Hipparchus slew
At the feast of Pallas crown'd:
Gods!—how swift their poniards flew!
How the monster ting'd the ground!
Then in Athens all was peace,
Equal laws and liberty:
Nurse of arts and age of Greece!
People valiant, firm and free!
Not less glorious was thy deed,
Wentworth! fix'd in virtue's cause;
Not less brilliant be thy meed,
Lenox! friend to equal laws.
High in Freedom's temple rais'd,
See Fitz-Maurice beaming stand,
For collected virtues prais'd,
Wisdom's voice and Valour's hand?
Ne'er shall Fate their eyelids close:
They, in blooming regions blest,
With Harmodius shall repose;
With Aristogiton rest.
No, blest chiefs! a hero's crown
Let th'Athenian patriots claim:
You less fiercely won renown;
You assum'd a milder name.
24
You more blissful tidings bring;
They to death a Tyrant drove,
You to fame restor'd a King.
Rise Britannia! dauntless rise!
Cheer'd with triple harmony,
Monarch good, and Nobles wise,
People valiant, firm, and free!
25
THE FIRST NEMEAN ODE OF PINDAR.
I.
1.
Calm breathing-place of Alpheus deadOrtygia, graceful branch of Syracuse renown'd,
Young Dina's rosy bed,
Sister of Delos, thee, with sweet, yet lofty, sound
Bursting numbers call, to raise
Of tempest-footed steeds the trophies glorious
(Thus Etnean Jove we praise;)
While Chromius' car invites, and Nemea's plain
For noble acts victorious
To weave th'encomiastic strain.
2.
From prosp'ring Gods the song begins:Next hails that godlike man and virtue's holy meeds:
He the flow'r of greatness wins,
Whom smiling fortune crowns; and vast heroic deeds
Ev'ry muse delights to sing.
Now wake to that fair isle the splendid story,
Which the great Olympian king,
Jove, gave to Proserpine, and wav'd his locks,
Vowing, that, supreme in glory,
Fam'd for sweet fruits, and nymph'd-lov'd rocks,
26
3.
Sicilia's full nutritious breastWith tow'r'd and wealthy cities he would crown.
Her the son of Saturn bless'd
With suitors brazen-arm'd for war's renown
By lance and fiery steed; yet oft thy leaves,
Olympic olive! bind their hair
In wreathy gold. Great subjects I prepare;
But none th'immortal verse deceives.
II.
1.
Oft in the portals was I plac'dOf that guest-loving man, and pour'd the dulcet strain,
Where becoming dainties grac'd
His hospitable hoard: for ne'er with efforts vain
Strangers to his mansion came:
And thus the virtuous, when detraction rages,
Quench with lib'ral streams her flame.
Let each in virtue's path right onward press,
As each his art engages,
And, urg'd by genius, win success.
2.
Laborious action strength applies,And wary conduct, Sense: the future to foresee
Nature gives to few, the wise.
Agesidamus' son, she frankly gave to thee
Pow'rful might and wisdom deep.
I see not in dark cells the hoarded treasure
Grov'ling with low care to keep,
But, as wealth flows, to spread it, and to hear
Loud fame, with ample measure
Cheering my friends, since hope and fear
27
3.
Assail disastrous men. The praiseOf Hercules with rapture I embrace:
On the heights, which virtues raise,
The rapid legend old his name shall place;
For, when he brook'd no more the cheerless gloom,
And burst into the blaze of day,
The child of Jove with his twin-brother lay,
Refulgent from the sacred womb.
III.
1.
Not unobserv'd the godlike boyBy Juno golden-thron'd the saffron'd cradle press'd;
Straight heav'n's queen with furious joy
Bade hideous dragons fleet th'unguarded floor infest:
They, the portals op'ning wide,
Roll'd through the chamber's broad recess tremendous,
And in Jaws fire-darting tried
The slumb'ring babe to close. He, starting light,
Rear'd his bold head stupendous,
And first in battle prov'd his might.
2.
With both resistless hands he clasp'dBoth struggling horrid pests, and cloth'd their necks with death;
They expiring, as he grasp'd,
Pour'd from their throats compress'd the foul envenom'd breath.
Horror seiz'd the female train,
Who near Alcmena's genial couch attended:
She, from agonizing pain
Yet weak, unsandal'd and unmantled rush'd,
And her lov'd charge defended,
Whilst he the fiery monsters crush'd.
28
3.
Swift the Cadmean leaders ranIn brazen mail precipitately bold:
First Amphitryon, dauntless man,
Bar'd his rais'd falchion from its sheathing gold,
While grinding anguish pierc'd his flutt'ring breast;
For private woes most keenly bite
Self-loving man; but soon the heart is light,
With sorrow not its own oppress'd.
IV.
1.
Standing in deep amazement wildWith rapt'rous pleasure mix'd, he saw th'enormous force,
Saw the valour of his child:
And fated heralds prompt, as heav'n had shap'd their course,
Wafted round the varied tale:
Then call'd he from high Jove's contiguous region,
Him, whose warnings never fail,
Tiresias blind, who told, in diction sage,
The chief and thronging legion
What fortunes must his boy engage;
2.
What lawless tyrants of the wood,What serpents he would slay, what monsters of the main,
What proud foe to human good,
The worst of monstrous forms, that holy manhood stain,
His huge arm to death would dash:
How, when heav'n's host, o'er Phlegra's champaign hasting,
With embattled giants rash
Vindictive warr'd, his pond'rous mace would storm
With dreadful strokes wide-wasting,
And dust their glitt'ring locks deform,
29
3.
He told; and how in blissful peaceThrough cycles infinite of gliding time,
When his mortal task should cease,
Sweet prize of perils hard and toil sublime,
In gorgeous mansions he should hold entranc'd
Soft Hebe, fresh with blooming grace,
And crown, exalting his majestic race,
The bridal feast near Jove advanc'd.
This Ode is translated word for word with the original; those epithets and phrases only being necessarily added which are printed in italic letters. See Argument of the Hymns to Pacriti.
30
A CHINESE ODE PARAPHRASED.
Behold, where yon blue riv'let glides
Along the laughing dale;
Light reeds bedeck its verdant sides,
And frolic in the gale:
Along the laughing dale;
Light reeds bedeck its verdant sides,
And frolic in the gale:
So shines our prince! In bright array
The virtues round him wait;
And sweetly smil'd th'auspicious day,
That rais'd him o'er our state.
The virtues round him wait;
And sweetly smil'd th'auspicious day,
That rais'd him o'er our state.
As pliant hands in shapes refin'd
Rich iv'ry carve and smooth,
His laws thus mould each ductile mind,
And ev'ry passion soothe.
Rich iv'ry carve and smooth,
His laws thus mould each ductile mind,
And ev'ry passion soothe.
As gems are taught by patient art
In sparkling ranks to beam,
With manners thus he forms the heart,
And spreads a gen'ral gleam.
In sparkling ranks to beam,
With manners thus he forms the heart,
And spreads a gen'ral gleam.
What soft, yet awful, dignity!
What meek, yet manly, grace!
What sweetness dances in his eye,
And blossoms in his face!
What meek, yet manly, grace!
What sweetness dances in his eye,
And blossoms in his face!
31
So shines our prince! A sky-born crowd
Of virtues round him blaze:
Ne'er shall oblivion's murky cloud
Obscure his deathless praise.
Of virtues round him blaze:
Ne'er shall oblivion's murky cloud
Obscure his deathless praise.
THE VERBAL TRANSLATION.
‘Behold yon reach of the river Ki;‘Its green reeds how luxuriant! how luxuriant!
‘Thus is our prince adorned with virtues;
‘As a carver, as a filer of ivory,
‘As a cutter, as a polisher, of gems.
‘O how elate and sagacious! O how dauntless and composed!
‘How worthy of fame! How worthy of reverence!
‘We have a prince adorned with virtues,
‘Whom to the end of time we cannot forget.’
32
A TURKISH ODE OF MESIHI.
Hear! how the nightingales, on every spray,
Hail, in wild notes, the sweet return of May!
—The gale that o'er yon waving almond blows,
The verdant bank with silver blossoms strows;
The smiling season decks each flowery glade.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
Hail, in wild notes, the sweet return of May!
—The gale that o'er yon waving almond blows,
The verdant bank with silver blossoms strows;
The smiling season decks each flowery glade.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
What gales of fragrance scent the vernal air!
Hills, dales, and woods, their loveliest mantles wear,
Who knows what cares await that fatal day,
When ruder gusts shall banish gentle May?
Ev'n death, perhaps, our vallies will invade.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
Hills, dales, and woods, their loveliest mantles wear,
Who knows what cares await that fatal day,
When ruder gusts shall banish gentle May?
Ev'n death, perhaps, our vallies will invade.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
33
The tulip now its varied hue displays,
And sheds, like Ahmed's eye, celestial rays.
Ah, nation ever faithful, ever true,
The joys of youth, while May invites, pursue!
Will not these notes your timorous minds persuade?
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
And sheds, like Ahmed's eye, celestial rays.
Ah, nation ever faithful, ever true,
The joys of youth, while May invites, pursue!
Will not these notes your timorous minds persuade?
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
The sparkling dewdrops o'er the lilies play,
Like orient pearls, or like the beams of day.
If love and mirth your wanton thoughts engage,
Attend, ye nymphs! a poet's words are sage;
While thus you sit beneath the trembling shade,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
Like orient pearls, or like the beams of day.
If love and mirth your wanton thoughts engage,
Attend, ye nymphs! a poet's words are sage;
While thus you sit beneath the trembling shade,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
The fresh-blown rose like Zeineb's cheek appears,
When pearls, like dewdrops, glitter in her ears.
The charms of youth at once are seen and past;
And nature says, ‘They are too sweet to last.’
So blooms the rose; and so the blushing maid.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
When pearls, like dewdrops, glitter in her ears.
34
And nature says, ‘They are too sweet to last.’
So blooms the rose; and so the blushing maid.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
See! yon anemonies their leaves unfold,
With rubies flaming and with living gold.
—While crystal showers from weeping clouds descend,
Enjoy the presence of thy tuneful friend:
Now, while the wines are brought, the sofa's lay'd,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
With rubies flaming and with living gold.
—While crystal showers from weeping clouds descend,
Enjoy the presence of thy tuneful friend:
Now, while the wines are brought, the sofa's lay'd,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
The plants no more are dried, the meadows dead,
No more the rose-bud hangs her pensive head:
The shrubs revive in valleys, meads, and bowers,
And every stalk is diadem'd with flowers;
In silken robes each hillock stands array'd.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
No more the rose-bud hangs her pensive head:
The shrubs revive in valleys, meads, and bowers,
And every stalk is diadem'd with flowers;
35
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
Clear drops, each morn, impearl the rose's bloom,
And from its leaf the Zephyr drinks perfume;
The dewy buds expand their lucid store:
Be this our wealth: ye damsels, ask no more.
Though wise men envy, and though fools upbraid,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
And from its leaf the Zephyr drinks perfume;
The dewy buds expand their lucid store:
Be this our wealth: ye damsels, ask no more.
Though wise men envy, and though fools upbraid,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
The dewdrops sprinkled, by the musky gale,
Are chang'd to essence ere they reach the dale.
The mild blue sky a rich pavilion spreads,
Without our labor, o'er our favor'd heads.
Let others toil in war, in arts, or trade:—
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
Are chang'd to essence ere they reach the dale.
The mild blue sky a rich pavilion spreads,
Without our labor, o'er our favor'd heads.
Let others toil in war, in arts, or trade:—
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
36
Late, gloomy winter chill'd the sullen air,
Till Soliman arose, and all was fair.
Soft, in his reign, the notes of love resound,
And pleasure's rosy cup goes freely round.
Here on the bank, which mantling vines o'ershade,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
Till Soliman arose, and all was fair.
Soft, in his reign, the notes of love resound,
And pleasure's rosy cup goes freely round.
Here on the bank, which mantling vines o'ershade,
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
May this rude lay from age to age remain,
A true memorial of this lovely train.
Come, charming maid! and hear thy poet sing,
Thyself the rose, and He the bird of spring:
Love bids him sing, and Love will be obey'd.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
A true memorial of this lovely train.
Come, charming maid! and hear thy poet sing,
Thyself the rose, and He the bird of spring:
Love bids him sing, and Love will be obey'd.
Be gay: too soon the flowers of Spring will fade.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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;
186
‘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.
187
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.
188
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:
189
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.’
SEITA CUND, or the Pool of Seita the wife of RAM, is the name given to the wonderful Spring at Mengeir, with boiling water of exquisite clearness and purity.
191
SONGS AND BALLADS.
A PERSIAN SONG OF HAFIZ.
Sweet maid, if thou wouldst charm my sight;
And, bid these arms thy neck infold;
That rosy cheek, that lily hand,
Would give thy poet more delight
Than all Bocara's vaunted gold,
Than all the gems of Samarcand.
And, bid these arms thy neck infold;
That rosy cheek, that lily hand,
Would give thy poet more delight
Than all Bocara's vaunted gold,
Than all the gems of Samarcand.
Boy! let yon liquid ruby flow,
And bid thy pensive heart be glad,
Whate'er the frowning zealots say:—
Tell them their Eden cannot show
A stream so clear as Rocnabad,
A bower so sweet as Mosellay.
And bid thy pensive heart be glad,
Whate'er the frowning zealots say:—
192
A stream so clear as Rocnabad,
A bower so sweet as Mosellay.
O! when these fair, perfidious maids,
Whose eyes our secret haunts infest,
Their dear destructive charms display;—
Each glance my tender breast invades,
And robs my wounded soul of rest;
As Tartars seize their destin'd prey.
Whose eyes our secret haunts infest,
Their dear destructive charms display;—
Each glance my tender breast invades,
And robs my wounded soul of rest;
As Tartars seize their destin'd prey.
In vain with love our bosoms glow:
Can all our tears, can all our sighs,
New lustre to those charms impart?
Can cheeks, where living roses blow,
Where nature spreads her richest dyes,
Require the borrow'd gloss of art?
Can all our tears, can all our sighs,
New lustre to those charms impart?
Can cheeks, where living roses blow,
Where nature spreads her richest dyes,
Require the borrow'd gloss of art?
193
Speak not of fate;—ah! change the theme,
And talk of odours, talk of wine,
Talk of the flow'rs that round us bloom:—
'Tis all a cloud, 'tis all a dream:
To love and joy thy thoughts confine,
Nor hope to pierce the sacred gloom.
And talk of odours, talk of wine,
Talk of the flow'rs that round us bloom:—
'Tis all a cloud, 'tis all a dream:
To love and joy thy thoughts confine,
Nor hope to pierce the sacred gloom.
Beauty has such resistless power,
That even the chaste Egyptian dame
Sigh'd for the blooming Hebrew boy;
For her how fatal was the hour,
When to the banks of Nilus came
A youth so lovely and so coy!
That even the chaste Egyptian dame
Sigh'd for the blooming Hebrew boy;
For her how fatal was the hour,
When to the banks of Nilus came
A youth so lovely and so coy!
But ah, sweet maid! my counsel hear,—
(Youth should attend when those advise
Whom long experience renders sage,)
While music charms the ravish'd ear;
While sparkling cups delight our eyes,
Be gay; and scorn the frowns of age.
(Youth should attend when those advise
Whom long experience renders sage,)
194
While sparkling cups delight our eyes,
Be gay; and scorn the frowns of age.
What cruel answer have I heard!
And yet, by heaven! I love thee still:
Can aught be cruel from thy lip?
Yet say, how fell that bitter word
From lips which streams of sweetness fill,
Which nought but drops of honey sip?
And yet, by heaven! I love thee still:
Can aught be cruel from thy lip?
Yet say, how fell that bitter word
From lips which streams of sweetness fill,
Which nought but drops of honey sip?
Go boldly forth, my simple lay,
Whose accents flow with artless ease,
Like orient pearls at random strung:
Thy notes are sweet, the damsels say;
But O! far sweeter, if they please
The nymph for whom these notes are sung.
Whose accents flow with artless ease,
Like orient pearls at random strung:
Thy notes are sweet, the damsels say;
But O! far sweeter, if they please
The nymph for whom these notes are sung.
195
A SONG, From the Persian, paraphrased in the Measure of the Original.
I
Sweet as the rose that scents the gale,Bright as the lily of the vale,
Yet with a heart like summer hail,
Marring each beauty thou bearest.
II
Beauty like thine, all nature thrills;And when the Moon her circle fills,
Pale she beholds those rounder hills,
Which on the breast thou wearest.
III
Where could those peerless flow'rets blow?Whence are the thorns that near them grow?
Wound me, but smile, O lovely foe!
Smile on the heart thou tearest.
IV
Sighing, I view that cypress waist,Doom'd to afflict me till embrac'd;
Sighing, I view that eye too chaste,
Like the new blossom smiling.
V
Spreading thy toils with hands divine,Softly thou wavest like a pine,
Darting thy shafts at hearts like mine,
Senses, and soul beguiling.
196
VI
See at thy feet no vulgar slave,Frantic with love's enchanting wave,
Thee, ere he seek the gloomy grave,
Thee his blest idol styling.
PLASSEY-PLAIN ,
A BALLAD, Addressed to Lady Jones by her Husband.
Aug. 3, 1784.
T'is not of Jàrfer, nor of Clive,
On Plassey's glorious field I sing;
'Tis of the best good girl alive,
Which most will deem a prettier thing.
On Plassey's glorious field I sing;
'Tis of the best good girl alive,
Which most will deem a prettier thing.
The Sun, in gaudy palanqueen,
Curtain'd with purple, fring'd with gold,
Firing no more heav'n's vault serene,
Retir'd to sup with Ganges old.
Curtain'd with purple, fring'd with gold,
Firing no more heav'n's vault serene,
Retir'd to sup with Ganges old.
When Anna, to her bard long dear,
(Who lov'd not Anna on the banks
Of Elwy swift, or testa clear?)
Tripp'd thro' the palm grove's verdant ranks.
(Who lov'd not Anna on the banks
Of Elwy swift, or testa clear?)
Tripp'd thro' the palm grove's verdant ranks.
197
Where thou, blood-thirsty Subahdar,
Wast wont thy kindred beasts to chase,
Till Britain's vengeful hounds of war,
Chas'd thee to that well-destin'd place.
Wast wont thy kindred beasts to chase,
Till Britain's vengeful hounds of war,
Chas'd thee to that well-destin'd place.
She knew what monsters rang'd the brake,
Stain'd like thyself with human gore,
The hooded, and the necklac'd snake,
The tiger huge, and tusked boar.
Stain'd like thyself with human gore,
The hooded, and the necklac'd snake,
The tiger huge, and tusked boar.
To worth, and innocence approv'd,
E'en monsters of the brake are friends:
Thus o'er the plain at ease she mov'd:—
Who fears offence that ne'er offends?
E'en monsters of the brake are friends:
Thus o'er the plain at ease she mov'd:—
Who fears offence that ne'er offends?
Wild perroquets first silence broke,
Eager of dangers near to prate;
But they in English never spoke,
And she began her moors of late.
Eager of dangers near to prate;
But they in English never spoke,
And she began her moors of late.
Next, patient dromedaries stalk'd,
And wish'd her speech to understand;
But Arabic was all they talk'd:—
Oh, had her Arab been at hand!
And wish'd her speech to understand;
But Arabic was all they talk'd:—
Oh, had her Arab been at hand!
A serpent dire, of size minute,
With necklace brown and freckled side,
Then hasten'd from her path to shoot,
And o'er the narrow causey glide.
With necklace brown and freckled side,
Then hasten'd from her path to shoot,
And o'er the narrow causey glide.
198
Three elephants, to warn her, call,
But they no western tongue could speak;
Tho' once, at Philobiblian stall,
Fame says a brother jabber'd Greek.
But they no western tongue could speak;
Tho' once, at Philobiblian stall,
Fame says a brother jabber'd Greek.
Superfluous was their friendly zeal;
For what has conscious truth to fear?
Fierce boars her pow'rful influence feel,
Mad buffaloes, or furious deer.
For what has conscious truth to fear?
Fierce boars her pow'rful influence feel,
Mad buffaloes, or furious deer.
E'en tigers, never aw'd before,
And panting for so rare a food,
She dauntless heard around her roar,
While they the jackals vile pursued.
And panting for so rare a food,
She dauntless heard around her roar,
While they the jackals vile pursued.
No wonder since, on Elfin Land,
Prais'd in sweet verse by bards adept,
A lion vast was known to stand,
Fair virtue's guard, while Una slept.
Prais'd in sweet verse by bards adept,
A lion vast was known to stand,
Fair virtue's guard, while Una slept.
Yet oh! had one her perils known,
(Tho' all the lions in all space
Made her security their own,)
He ne'er had found a resting place.
(Tho' all the lions in all space
Made her security their own,)
He ne'er had found a resting place.
It can scarcely be necessary to recall to the recollection of the reader, the victory gained by Lord Clive, over Seraj'uddoula, Subahdar or Viceroy of Bengal, on Plassey-Plain.
199
Au FIRMAMENT.
‘Would I were yon blue field above,’
(Said Plato, warbling am'rous lays,)
‘That with ten thousand eyes of love,
‘On thee for ever I might gaze.’
(Said Plato, warbling am'rous lays,)
‘That with ten thousand eyes of love,
‘On thee for ever I might gaze.’
My purer love the wish disclaims,
For were I, like Tiresias, blind,
Still should I glow with heavenly flames,
And gaze with rapture on thy mind.
For were I, like Tiresias, blind,
Still should I glow with heavenly flames,
And gaze with rapture on thy mind.
SONG.
[Wake, ye nightingales, oh, wake!]
Wake, ye nightingales, oh, wake!
Can ye, idlers, sleep so long?
Quickly this dull silence break;
Burst enraptur'd into song:
Shake your plumes, your eyes unclose,
No pretext for more repose.
Can ye, idlers, sleep so long?
Quickly this dull silence break;
Burst enraptur'd into song:
Shake your plumes, your eyes unclose,
No pretext for more repose.
Tell me not, that Winter drear
Still delays your promis'd tale,
That no blossoms yet appear,
Save the snow-drop in the dale
Tell me not the woods are bare;—
Vain excuse! prepare! prepare!
Still delays your promis'd tale,
That no blossoms yet appear,
Save the snow-drop in the dale
Tell me not the woods are bare;—
Vain excuse! prepare! prepare!
200
View the hillock, view the meads:
All are verdant, all are gay;
Julia comes, and with her leads
Health, and Youth, and blooming May.
When she smiles, fresh roses blow;
Where she treads, fresh lilies grow.
All are verdant, all are gay;
Julia comes, and with her leads
Health, and Youth, and blooming May.
When she smiles, fresh roses blow;
Where she treads, fresh lilies grow.
Hail! ye groves of Bagley, hail!
Fear no more the chilling air:
Can your beauties ever fail?
Julia has pronounc'd you fair.
She could cheer a cavern's gloom,
She could make a desert bloom.
Fear no more the chilling air:
Can your beauties ever fail?
Julia has pronounc'd you fair.
She could cheer a cavern's gloom,
She could make a desert bloom.
| The poetical works of Sir William Jones | |