 | New songs of innocence |  |
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AN INDIAN IDOL.
Yes, Willie, this is an idol
From a land that the sun is near,
But where lurid hazes hide all
The heaven we look to here.
Where rice-fields are defended
By bands of green bamboo;
Where palaces are splendid
And temples golden too.
From a land that the sun is near,
But where lurid hazes hide all
The heaven we look to here.
Where rice-fields are defended
By bands of green bamboo;
Where palaces are splendid
And temples golden too.
There life seems gay and easy,
In brilliant colours drest,
Unbroken by the breezy
Impatience of the West.
O'er woods of tangled wonder
The gaudy blossoms climb—
With monstrous creatures under,
Asleep among the slime!
In brilliant colours drest,
Unbroken by the breezy
Impatience of the West.
O'er woods of tangled wonder
The gaudy blossoms climb—
With monstrous creatures under,
Asleep among the slime!
By the light of reason's taper
Their learnèd pundits go,
Where all above is vapour,
And horror all below.
And those who cannot reason,
The untaught poor, down-trod,
What marvel though they seize on
A nearer hope than God?
Their learnèd pundits go,
Where all above is vapour,
And horror all below.
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The untaught poor, down-trod,
What marvel though they seize on
A nearer hope than God?
Full many a mother, kneeling
At this thing's shrine, has prayed
For heartening or for healing,
For comfort or for aid.
And though her cry she uttered,
Wild as a helpless bird
Whose nest a snake has fluttered,
I think our Father heard!
At this thing's shrine, has prayed
For heartening or for healing,
For comfort or for aid.
And though her cry she uttered,
Wild as a helpless bird
Whose nest a snake has fluttered,
I think our Father heard!
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