THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES A/- LOTUS AND JEWEL. LOTUS AND JEWEL CONTAINING "IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE" "A CASKET OF GEMS" "A QUEEN'S REVENGE" Mitb otbcr poems 11Y KDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., c.s.i. AUTHOR OF "THE LIGHT OF ASIA," ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC. J, OX DON TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HIM 18S7 All ri glits reserved "Ballantpne Jpresg ■NTVM . HANSON AND CO. EDINBl !<(,H AND LONDON /"/r S ' — s /.f/ CONTENTS. In an Indian Temple A Casket of Gems Introduction f. fire-opals a. amethysts n. nephrite, jade n. nacre and pearls y. vactt. topazes M. moonstoxi: A. AQI AMARINE R. RUBIES I. IlMX'ltASE, GARNETS A. AGATES A. AMBER AND LAZULITE D. DIAMONDS E. EMERALDS L. LIGURE, JACTNTHS A. an Armors I. IOLITE AND IVoliV D. DAWN-STONE E. EUCLASE AND ESSONITE I 53 55 59 • 63 66 7i . 76 82 . 85 94 . 9 3 101 1 1 1 • 115 122 • 132 • 139 . 14S • 157 8G0378 VI CONTENTS. Other Poems. laila ..... in westminster abbey . atalanta .... life {from Victor Hugo) Hadrian's address to his soul thi; depths of the sea the heavenly secret . AN ADIEU .... THE INDIAN JUDGE jeanne (from Victor Hugo) . A RAJPUT NURSE . zanouba's song (from the Persian) THE SNAKE AND THE BABY FROM A SIKH HYMN a farewell (from the French) a love-song of henri quatre from the sanskrit anthology basti singh's wife in memory of s. s. epitaph on the same . PAGE I6 3 I64 I67 l68 168 I69 172 173 174 179 l8l lS8 I89 194 195 I96 198 IO9 205 206 From the Sanskrit. GRISiima; ok, the season of heat A Ql BEN'S REVENGE 209 217 IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. IT was a Temple, white and fair, Piercing the warm blue Indian air With painted cupola ; and set High on a hill-side, where there met Two streams — with sister-kiss of wave — Which rippled lightly down, to lave Our Deccan flats, gliding to grow Beema — and Kistna next — and flow By many a peopled plain and lea Into the Coromandel sea. And all alon^ those shining banks Neem and acacia trees in ranks Shaded the flood, making cool homes Of leafy peace for all that comes To river-side, the pheasant-crow, The jay, the coppersmith whose blow — LOTUS AND JEWEL. In his green smithy stoutly plied Ringing from dawn till eventide — Falls ' klink, klank, klink,' upon the ear ; And social weavers who, from fear Of thievish snakes, their nests suspend Swinging from every branchlet's end : There, too, the nine brown sisters talked ; The silver- feathered egret stalked ; The muchi-haug — " tiger of fish " — Shot from the air with arrowy swish And soared again — his pearly prey Clutched in red talons. All the day You heard the necklaced jungle-dove Cooing low songs of ceaseless love ; While, brooding near, his listening wife With soft breast warmed her earus to life ; And, from the hot vault of the sky The curling kite made fierce reply; For Love and Hate were neighbours still Even upon that holy hill ! ^ etj in the Temple all seemed peace. The ting upon Shiva's knees — IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. Parvati, shaped in gold, was seen, — With great eyes jewelled — Shiva's Queen : And nigh them, in the inmost dusk, Ganpati, known by broken tusk And trunk of elephant. No sound Stirred the deep quiet of that ground Where the Gods dwelled, save footfall rare Of Hindoo wife or maid, with fare Of coloured rice or honeyed cake For Shiva's Priest, and vows to make Before the shrine in some dear name ; Save, also, when the pigeons came, A blue cloud, whirring from the wood To peck their daily Temple-food. If other echo silence broke 'Twas Govind murmuring Sanskrit shloke From ancient scrolls, or chanting prayers Three times a day, Govind who bears — Immeasurably wise — the weight Of threescore learned years and eight, Shiva's calm servant. Sometimes, you Would hear within that Temple, too, Gunga the Nautch-girl's anklets chime Dancing in some grave measured rhyme LOTUS AND JEWEL. Before the Gods, to throb of drum And low-played pipe, or, with deft thumb Twangling the tight-stretched vina-string To yield shrill notes, while she did sing Of Love — as Nautchnees know — and praise Of lovers dead for Love ; and lays Of wounded hearts and piercing eyes ; Which grey Philosophies despise. Good friends were dancing girl and priest To one I knew, such friends — at least — As those may be whom Fortune gives Stars wide apart and differing lives : And Gunga to the Saheb would sing Sweet Indian songs for pleasuring ; And Govind — patient with their folly — Would listen, mild and melancholy, Till nobler moments rose, and then Speak wisely on the ways of men, The worlds of Gods, the wisdom hid In I'panishad, Pooran, Ved : N and sometimes, with careful finger, On -nnp- dark text and comment linger, Sifting its sacred meanings o'er — IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. As when in burning Ratnapoor The ruby-miners wash away Gravel and dust and yellow clay To leave at last one jewel bare, ' Pigeon-blood ' colour, faultless, rare ! Which to the finder freedom brings, And glows, in seal or crown of kings. On such a day those sate together Under the sky of splendent weather Which shines in Poush, and held debate — Friendly or petulant — with weight Of Govind's lore at one time heard, And then — like some loud ' tit- wee ' bird — The Nautch-girl mocking all save Love ; Anon, demure as any dove, Listening to wisdom ; and, again, Falling with laughter to some strain Ill-fitted to the theme : But sit In Temple-shade, and judge of it ! 8 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Sahcb. Pandit ! Tou promised me to read to-day That Upanishad where the Sanskrit tells The inner meanings of your mystic Word, The Word we must not utter till we meet Privately here, with foolish ears away. Priest. Yea ! the Mandiikya ! hast thou conned the text? S. It was so hard and rugged none might read As little taught as I. The words were plain, But not the sense. 'Twas like a rain-time cloud Blown by the wind, sending far thunder forth, Which seemed to bring some message if man's ear Had wit to comprehend. P. It hath such wit I f it will listen well ; and thou may'st learn More than thy Sages know beyond the seas, Pondering Mandiikya ; for the leaves recite What lies within that Word we must not speak WliiTc Mlechchas are. S. Well ! will you say it now ? /'. I sin — the Book being so majestical, And thou ii" twice-born — if I teach thee this; Save that thon loveat our Land, and lov'st to tread All path- .if knowledge. Bnt is Gunga there? IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. S. I saw her scattering pulse to feed the doves When I rode in, and — hark ! her vina plays ! You will not stay our study for the girl ? [Gunga enters, holding a Vina. She salutes the Priest ami the Englishman.] Gunga. Swasti ! my holy Eishi ! Maharaj, Salaam ! Bid me not go — Mahadev's girl — Who dances for the pleasure of the Gods, And brings the temple treasure. See, rupees ! I got them singing yesternight : mine eyes Pierced the Rao Saheb to the heart, which bled Plentiful gifts ; yet had he nought from me Save one kiss on the brow. Ah, Mcra Jan ! My English Lord ; I know a song on that : [She plays and sings'] " My Lotus-eyed — my Love that loves me noiv — She lets me touch the tilka on her brow, And mouth as soft as are the bimba-leaves, And little rounded chin, whence love perceives The smooth brown neck sink to that tender place Wliere the heart beats between two hills of grace. io LOTUS AND JEWEL. c: But, when I would have kissed the rose-red peaks Of those dear mountains, — as a pilgrim seeks To worship on the highest spot — she cried : * Nay, nay ! my choli must not he untied ! ' So trips she off, as from the tamarind-spray A light hen-koil, in her mate's mid lay" S. Oh, Gunga ! if you vex the Pandit's soul He will not read, and I shall miss to know What says Mandiikya. Sit and learn this lore, — If you may hear it. P- Nay, the girl can hear ! I am too old for anger, and she bears A gentle breast, and serves our Temple well, Though all too light of mind, and loose of tongue. G. Dear Master ! make me wise ! Gunga is good When you will teach; and what should Sahebs know A Xautchnee must not hear? The gates are shut ; The Temple-birds are fed; sometimes I think — When only they and I are in the Court, And I sit watching how they pace about, With red feet like to mine, all henna-stained, And barred backs, like my Btriped and painted cloth; Ami jewels round their throats, like these I wear! IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. u When I sit watching how they pace and plume, Bridling their necks, and making melting eyes, And sidling here and there, and spreading wings, And wooing and pursuing, with one song Of ' love-love-love,' and do not fear the Gods, But pick dropped rice from Shiva's awful feet ; — Oh, then I think these be dead Nautch-dancers Come back to the glad light to coo, and serve, And seek old lovers ! There's a verse on that : [Gunga sings and plays] " Resolve me — element by element — Into the Void, oh God ! I am content, So I may only be, for him I love, The ivater in his tank, the winds that rove Around his brotvs, the light that serves his needs, The fire that warms him, and the soil that feeds." Say ! you two wise ones ! is not that as deep As your Vedantas ? 8. But you do not tell Which of past many lovers is to drink Gunga made water ; cool his fevered brows 12 LOTUS AND JEWEL. With Gunsra blowing sweet: and cook his rice With Gunga, blazing bright ! £. The last, my Lord ! All others I forget ! P. Thou foolish Soul, Who, losing thine own house, would'st help to build Another perishable form ! What's he, Or thou, or any, but a wave which lifts Out of Brahm's ocean — to sink back again ? Seek to grow one with Him, and rather say : " Yea ! dear Lord ! we are one with Thee ! since Thou art all in all ! And our lives in Thy Life must end ; yet dare I never call TJiec mine, as lam Thine, oh God ! The Wave is si ill the Sea's ! 7' In Sea is not the Wave's, therefor! So I, and all of these ! " S. Tint makes you solemn, Gunga! Keep your eyes Curtained with lashes just one little while! . for tlii; dread Word — OM. /' Oh !— not like that !— IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 13 Reach me the lota, girl ! that I may wash My mouth from stain: then, covering one hand, I raise this other to my lips, and say, With three half-breaths drawn in, — but slow and low — The three great matras of this mighty Word Which is as Silence spoken ! Hear'st thou ? — OM ! — S. How are there three ? p. 'Tis made of A, — U, — M : And last the vindu binding all in one, Which one is holiest of all uttered speech, Sweet to the Gods, consummate, good to say At all the Samdhyas, — when Night joineth Morn, Morning the Afternoon, and Evening Night ; Good to repeat before we read the Veds, And when we finish ; locking all truths up As the womb holds the life, as rocks hide gems, And seeds the leaf, flower, fruit. A Scripture saith " OM is the bow ; the Arrow is the Soul ; Brahm is the object : he who shooteth straight Pierceth the target of the Uttermost, Attaineth end." " Meditate OM ! " it saith : " For, in that mystic light, the knowers know Brahm without body, parts, or passions — Brahm Joyful, Eternal, All-embracing, Pure." i 4 LOTUS AND JEWEL. This Word hath all words in it, all three names Of Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu ; all three worlds — Earths, Ethers, Heavens ; and all three modes of Time Past, Present, Future ; all three sexes, too, Yoni, and Lingam, and what yoketh both ; And all three Veds ! See ! on yon banyan-branch Which overhangs our wall, two parroquets ! There is a Scripture — third of Mundaka — Telleth of that, so as a man may read Who knoweth OM. Two Birds — it sayeth — sit, Always united, always equal-plumed, Perched on one fig-tree branch. This pecks the fruit That feedeth not, but gazeth — witnessing ; — And She who eateth is the Human Soul, And he who watcheth is the Soul Divine, Aud Life the Fig-tree is, and Life's delights Its too sweet fruit. But, if one knoweth OM. Tin- feeding bird looks on the watching bird — It mate immortal, scorning those false fruits — And Leaveth all, to join the "All of All;" Saved I it sight, lifted on wiser wings To better pleasures; — as, see! now they By — Those green birds, — high into the stainless Blue! IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 15 Oh, look you, Friend ! when the great Gods would hear What Brahm was, unto Indra came they all Asking this thing, glorious as yonder clouds Which flock towards the throne of the sinking Sun, Ruby and amethyst, and pearl and gold ; And Indra bade them sit beneath a tree — The Nyagrodha tree — nor spake he once, Through twenty thousand moons, to that bright throng Of seated Gods ; but at the last he spake Saying, with fingers on his hushed lips, " OM ! " Then all the Gods went to their places wise. S. And you are wise, good Pandit ! Yet I long To hear this scroll, and Gunga burns to hear ; She did not glean such treasure from the hand Of yon Rao Saheb ! [To the Nautch Girl] Slack your vina-strings, And sit in closer ! You've no song for that : G. How know you, Maharaj ? There's drum and dance For all the moods ; — Mahadev's girl can sing Many like this : 1 6 LOTUS AND JEWEL. [She sings and plays] " Because I have not served Thee right, oh, sweet and mighty- Lord ! Thou icilt not less deliverance, and rest with Thee afford ; Wlw drinks of blessed Amrit, — though it be with dying lips, — Lives, and grows well and pure again, at the first drop he sips.'" But let my music sleep ! Now will I listen ! /'. I shall read the text In brief lines — as it runs — then make all plain. " Niama Paramdtmane Ilnri! OM ! OM/ Amity etad Aksharam idem Sarvvan tasyopavydkhydnan bh&tf" — Which meaneth, "Glory in the Highest! OM ! The [mmeasurable ! This is immortal ! OM ! Thifl La tin- Our! This word, interpreted, I wliat was in beginning, and is now, And ever shall be — OM nnbraceth those — The threefold modes of Life, and what's beyond Onmeted bj them. o.M is that, and all! " IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 17 " Sarvvan hyetadbrahmdyamatma " — OM, So spoken of the All, is Bralim : the soul Is Brahra : yet here this soul goes chatuspdt " Four-footed ; " owns conditions four. Observe How these be packed in OM ! S. Now, Gunga, list ! Why do you smile ? G. I wonder why I sang These wistful words, of late, to one I loved : [She sings and plays] " What should I say at hour of parting hateful ? If I sigh ' leave me not ! ' that seems ungrateful ! If I should whisper 'go' it sounds so coldly ; And to cry ' stay ' were to command too boldly ; ' Go, if thou ivilt, — stay, if thou wilt ! ' — this savours Of heedless heart ; while full of Fate's ill-favours 'T would be to murmur, ' If we part, I die ! ' Lest that fall true : alas ! I know not — i" — What thing to utter ! Teach me some wise word To say tvhen you must leave me, Dearest Lord ! " Now, had I known — " Om " was the word to speak, Which all thoughts compasses. B 1 8 LOTUS AND JEWEL. JS. You feather, blown From pea-ben's neck at pairing-time, be still ! Now, Pandit ! tell us these conditions four. P. Prathamah pddah, Sir ! Vaisvdnara. " The first condition is ' Vaisvanara.' " Now, this word signifieth c Consciousness,' Common to all men (yaisva-nar), and so Iutendeth common waking life, that state Wherein we eat and drink, and see and smell, And hear and touch and taste. The holy script Sayeth, ' Vaisvanara is waking life ; Whereof the knowledge is of outward things Cheating the sense. Seven organs hath this life, And mouths nineteen. It feedeth on the Gross.' G. Oh, Shiva ! Nineteen mouths ! How one might kiss ! S. Which are the organs seven ; and which those mouths Twenty less one ? /'. The books speak diversely ; Ye1 our chief sages teach the organs seven Of waking life, are — for the Bead the Eeavens, !• . Sun, for Breath the moving Wind, For Eearl the Ether, for the Humours, Sea, IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 19 For Feet the Earth, for Heat the inner Fires. Also those nineteen mouths are nineteen doors Whereby the world hath access to the Self ; And these be — the five modes of Intellect, The five Sense-gateways, the five Vital airs ; With Mind, Will, Individual Consciousness, And Chittam, which is sense behind the sense, That whereby sight of eye, and touch of skin, And taste, and smell, and sound are cognited. Such is Vaisvanara — the waking Life — The letter A denoteth it in AUM. S. And what is U ? J'. It standeth in the Word For Taijasa, second of living states, Which hath its name from tijas — " brilliancy," Being that gleam which thou shalt see with eyes Fast shut, when all the gloom danceth in sparks, And, on the inner lids the lingering light Paints stars and rings of spangled phantasy ; For Taijasa is slumber, when we dream, And the scroll saith : it hath the organs seven, The gates nineteen, but knoweth inner things, And — praviviktabliuk — in sightless sleep It " feedeth on the Subtle." 20 LOTUS AND JEWEL. G. Ah ! I know Your Taijasa ! when I have danced all night, And draw my cloth, at last, across my eyes, I see the Temple-lamps pale and more pale Inside my lids, all down the road to sleep ; Till at the end there comes a softer light Which needs no eyes ; and there I lie, and dream ! S. What dream you of, my Gungabaee ? G. Of gold So much it bursts my cloth ! of beauteous gems Hung on my neck by some one loving me ; Or 'tis a Prince who sends me cardamums Which mean "your breath is Heaven! " or sandal-wood Chipped small, which is to say, " In seeing you I become water ! " or stick-cinnamon Which signifies " my life is thine ! " Sometimes I dream the gods rise from their seats, and wink Their jewelled eyes, and tell me where to find Blue lotus for their shrines, or where there lies \ buried pot of inohurs ; sometimes, too, I <■ two elephants that fight and fight Wit hunt their mahoots — that means death ! or see 1. •: grown in sand, and thai means love I 'rom unexpected plac or ] -py IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 21 Holes in the moon and serpents with ten mouili-. And those, I know, bring ill ! But it is good To dream of fire-flies, mirrors, thrones, and fish, And rice, and rainbows : yestereve I dreamed A black calf sucked a brindled heifer's bag, And that, be sure, shows losses ; so I brought A jar of milk to-day for Parvati. P. Yea, Nautchni, yea ! that is the waking light Glimmering in visions; that is Taijasa ! Yet so — if thou wert wiser — shouldst thou see innermost things, ev'n dreaming; nay, and so Thou, too, dost pass into a deeper sleep, Life's third Condition. S. And the name of this ? — P. The name, Sahebji ! is Prajna, letter M Of those three letters of the mighty Word. Here, very plain our ancient writing runs ! Yatra supno net kanchan hamayaU Kaman, na kanchan svapnan pasyati — " When he asleep desire th no desire, Dreameth no dreams, that is the perfect sleep — Sushupnan — that is Prajna ; then he lives ! " " He, lying thus," it saith, " lieth, grown one With all which is ; that which he knows he knows 22 LOTUS AND JEWEL. By knowledge unified ; his peace is peace Perfect, except for ceasing ; bliss he tastes As taste the Gods, and — chetomukh — his mouth Is Wisdom's portal. He is Lord of all, All-sharing, ruling inner things, a soul Whence springeth life as from a Yoni — so He maketh and unmaketh." Such is M, The third great matra. S. Yet resolve me this, How ' maketh and unmaketh ? ' what is life Its senses chained in sleep ? P. Suffer me, Sir ! To answer from Brihaddraranydka Where Raja Janaka holds deep discourse AN'itli Yajnavalkya, and the good Prince asked, "By what light lives the Soul?" The Brahman said It liveth here by sunlight, using eyes ; And lacking sunlight, by the gleam of the moon; And. if there be no moon, or sun, b} T fire ; And if the fire fails, then by sound or touch; Bui if no sound is heard, and all be void, Then is the Soul sufficing light to Soul. For dwelling in fche hollow of the heart Girl by il b king by Blaves, IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. Being left alone it riseth, lights its lamp, And, wandering down the borders of two worlds, Seemeth to think, yet watcheth what is thought ; Seemeth to move, but stays unchangeable. Then full away from Soul the ills it took Assuming form ; like Handmaids, Sleep and Night Strip it of those ; it goes majestical, And sees two lives, on this and that side ; one Here of this Earth, and in another World Another not yet known, between which winds — With banks and shoals that shift, now nearer Life, Now nearer Death — the placid channel of Sleep, Like a black, shadowy, hidden, windless stream Whose silent waters lave both lands, and bear The Spirit on its tranquil boat of flesh Hither and thither. Gliding wistfully Down that dividing flood the Soul, secure, Seeth both shores, and bringeth what it will From that to this, and taketh what it will, And " moketh and unmaketh." Horses, roads, Or chariots are there none in Shadow-Land, Yet the Soul willeth these, and see ! it drives, Horsed, glorious, eager, through the boundless Murk ! No bliss, no kiss, no large delights be there 24 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Of beautiful kind faces lit with love ; Of soft arms shutting into Paradise ; Yet the Soul wills there be, and lo ! that Dark Is filled with companies of Apsaras, Lovely and sweet all mortal maids beyond — Sweeter than llambha whom Ravana wooed ! There are no tanks, no palaces, no trees, Nor feasts, nor dances ; but the Soul doth will, And, see ! the Dark grows gracious with great walls Built on the void, ramps of red gold, and domes Of cloud-poised marble, and fair cloistered courts Where wave the feathers of the palms, and flit Swift glistering shoals of fish in lilied pools ; And dancers, rosy-footed, and bright-eyed, M.lt the glad soul to love. Subduing flesh By -[H'll of ^leep he — not himself asleep — Sees his sense slumbering, and moves away Free as the mated bird launching from branch. The Life-breath keeps the nest — the Soul flies off, To L r " and come in thai wide Realm <>f Rest Making it- manifold shapeSj unmaking them; ing in the arms of Dream-maidens ; Laughing with lovely friends, moving ai will IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. On wondrous wings of thought ; arriviug swift At splendid sights, or strange, or tragical, And sometimes terrible — for fear is dear As well as joy ! Yet, though thou know'st that Land, Thou shalt not meet the Soul there, nay — nor mark Where in the viewless vast it wandereth. Therefore, let no man wake one suddenly, Lest Soul return not well from its long way ! And Yajnavalkya said : The Soul, — thus roaming, Thus, like a falcon, Hying here and there From cliff to cliff of sleep's far boundaries, Seeing the glad and sad, the old and new, The good and ill, — presently wearieth. Then doth it fold its pinions and sink down Into Soul's nest, reaching the dreamless Peace 1'rajna. There follow not to that deep state, Gladness or sadness, good or evil. Life Is lifted out of living — Soul grows Brahm ! Nor let one say ' it seeth — heareth not ! ' That which doth see and hear is Self; — eye, ear Were instruments, laid down : who used them keeps Light of his own, sound of his own, touch, taste Other than ours ! 2 6 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Such is the letter M, Third matra of the Holy Word. S. I ask, Right-learned Friend ! why Good and Evil cease Because Soul sleeps ? P. Surely such names subsist In worlds of ' thine and mine,' of ' this and that,' Of ' praise and blame ! ' AVhere all things melt in one Evil and Good are fled, to plague no more. S. Well ! who may judge ? In England — over-sea, Our Gunga here, that is so kind and gay ; Who loves the Gods, and gives to all the poor, And would not hurt a grey gnat, if it stung ; And built the Dharma-Sala (Nay ! you did !), And knows all dances, and a hundred songs ; And holds her trade as honest as the best : — Willi us she would rank viler than with you Yon Mhar, that must not touch a Brahman's cloth. C My Shiva's snakes! Out there are all so pure? S. Not all ! Yet wo have built the House of Love With Christian stones, and each man chooses love Nfol by some other's will — as here with you — Bui for himself; and each will have his love — IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 27 If such may be — white as tho Chanipak-bud When first its green cup splits. Cr. And fares it well With those cold blossoms, in the homes they find ? S. Yes, Gunga ! nobly well in honest homes ! For lovely is the flower of chastity, Lasting its fragrance, and its fruit more fair Than chance fruits borne on boughs whence all may pluck. And goodly is the air of Liberty For all, but most for lovers, seeing Love Knows more than Wisdom, and because young hearts Choose better than their elders, being taught By Nature, 'ware of inmost sympathy, And subtle suitings of this blood and that To blend together for fresh human veins. So life's long road goes happier for the grace Of good beginnings ! You and I may praise The white flower on the rock we cannot reach ! Oh, and full well I know what happy hearths Are here in India, and what stainless wives Live their sweet lives and die their gentle deaths Under your suns. G. My mother vowed me this — A Deva-Dasa, servant to the God — 28 LOTUS AND JEWEL. To save my father's life, when she did go Great with me. And my father rose, made whole After that vow ; and, then, they married me — New-born — with garlands and the mangal-shloke Wife to the " Dagger ; " and they laid red rice Upon my head, and tanght me how to dance, Play vina, plait my hair with flowers, and make Great eyes for money. Must I be ashamed ? S. Not before me, mv Sister ! It were well Certain most faultless ones were half as good, As gentle-souled ! But, Govind ! at the last Is not Good good, and Evil evil ? Brahm — If He be All in All — must deal as Lord With all three states of OM. Note, too, that verse Of Katha Upanishad, "What is here Visible in our world, is also there In Brahm's invisible world; and what is there That same is here unseen." P. It is so writ ! S. Then, by good leave, your Indian systems lack Two points we Westerns boast — the love of man I'"! G love. Who hath made him; and this Law- Thai because Etighl is right we follow Right. IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. P. Give me example, Sir ! that I may judge. & Well ! I remember one ! But tell me first Is it good Hindoo rule a wife should live Faithful to death unto her husband's bed ? P. Yea, by a hundred Shasters ! S. Yet again, Is it good Hindoo rule if one who starves Craves food, the householder shall surely give ? P. Yea ! and our Scriptures say : " If one shall bar The door against an asker, when he goes Hungry away, he leaves his own sins there, And takes the good deeds of the householder. 7 ' S. But which of these two duties is the first ? P. Neither is first or last. Both must be kept ! S. Then judge hereof. There dwelt a householder Iti Gaya, where the twin streams wander down — Nilajan and Mohana. Just and mild This Brahman was, dutiful unto all, In life's bright prime, a goodly man to view, Whom fairest wives might worship. So, indeed, Sita loved Balaram. No new- wed bride Ever more gladsome paced the seven steps, Shared the dyed rice, or wore the golden cloth, And iron bangle : nor, in all that land 30 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Shone sweeter face bearing the marriage-mark Stamped with vermilion. These two loved — I say — Like Krishna and like Radha. Oh, you know ! At coming home, when the white stars peep forth, And all your Indian sky turns purple peace, 'Twas " Sonarchund ! My moon of gold ! art safe ? I lived with half my life, whilst thou wert gone ! Ah, didst thou think on me all day ? " And he, '• My Pomegranate ! my Pearl ! whose arms are Heaven, And mouth as sweet as new Keora-buds, How could I think of you, my heart being here ? " G. Why, that's a song we sing ! The air goes so : [>She sings and plays] " Think on me, Dear ! you said, at parting ; Hut tliis I did not do ; Without in a heart I could not think, And it remained -with you." S. Well ! thus they loved. But then the Famine fell: [ndra was angry, and his brazen skies •led with no cloud, and let no sweet rain fall. In wood and nullal; fr.ivst creatures died Pining I'm- drink : the shyest beasts drew in IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 31 To lap at village wells ; the thirsting snake Crept to the mud-hole, where the snake-bird drooped Too parched to strike ! The green crops died to grey, And famished people fed on jungle-meats — Berries and roots — for half a seer of rice Sold at two annas, and jowaree went Thirty rupees the candy ! Balaram Nourished his quarter while the bags held grain, Then fell to lack and leanness, with the rest ; To sorer lack, because, when there was food Upon his household fire, the good man lied A loving lie, saying : " I ate to-day With Kerupunt — or Lakhsman ! " — so that she Might take her fill, and keep her beauty bright. Was one, inside the city, loved this wife Unhonestly — Vittoo the wealthy Sett, Who sold the starving towns-folk pulse, yet kept His grain-pits filled, hoarding the precious store. And many a time — when Sita came to buy — The man would say, measuring less niggard seers, " Oh, Rose of our sad garden ! rice is dear ; Hardly, except to thee, have I to sell ! By Shiva ! but I cheapen this for thee ! 32 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Yet wouldst thou once — once only — of fair grace — Be kind to him who worships where he sees The foot-mark of thy feet ; once, only once ! — Lest Death come 'ere my soul's desire be had ; — Then would I load thy cloth with bhat and dall, Asking no price." And she would answer, proud, " I hate thee, Vittoo, for thy wicked love ; My Lord will kill thee if I speak of this, Or sit and starve rather than buy from thee. Give me my grain, and let me go ! " Whereat The Sett's heart burned in secret, and his gains Joyed him no more ; for, always, day and night The face of Sita drew him like a spell. P. Ah, that a mortal man will sin so deep ! & Now — one day — at the worst ; when Balaram 'Was gone a-seeking bambu-seed to eat; And Sita's self had tasted nought from dawn, The last rice being cooked, the last gem sold, The last poor cowrie spent, there came a Sage Asking Ihis wife for food. Reverend he seemed, Of pious mien and speech — a Rishi, sure! Wearing the saffron-coloured garb, and marked With Shiva '^ lines upon his wrinkled brow. "Give me to cat, Fair Daughter! for I dio IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 33 To-day, at sunset, if I touch no meal ! " So craved he, with low voice, blessing the house, And therewith sank within the threshold-stone, Piteous to note, so holy and so wan ; This hope his last ! Then sprang the bitter tears To Sita's gentle eyes ; faltered her lips ; Beat her true heart as though to burst. — Dear Heaven ! What shall she say? If she shall say, "This house Is emptied, Father ! not one bajri-ear Is left thy servants ! " — then the grief, the shame, To see him creep away, whom Shastras bid Succour and honour ! And, if she shall say, " My Lord is absent, he will bring us food ! " "Who knows ? who knows ? Balaram may not find Till nightfall, or may come bringing no meal ; And ere that hour the Rishi will lie dead ! But oh ! if now — to save this life — she say, " I have no grain, yet, Maharaj ! I know The means to win some ; " (Gunga ! had you felt Her veins throb while she thought it !) would he not Enquire the means, and, learning, choose to die Rather than she should stain her soul, and truck Heart's love and household joys and blameless name For half a maund of rice ! She must not tell ! c 34 LOTUS AND JEWEL. He shall not die ! Ah, Balaram, forgive ! Ah, High Gods ! help her find the rightful path ! She led that holy man tenderly in, And, sweetly smiling, wiped her tears away, And sighed : " Be pleased to rest ! thy handmaid goes To fetch thee food ; presently thou shalt eat ! " G. Now, stay not, Saheb ! This is more than songs ! P. Yes, Nautchni ! But, I wonder, did she go ? S. She drew her sari round her head, and stepped Into the street. Time was, when Sita passed, Neighbours would give her greeting, pleased to hear The music of her anklets, glad to catch The sunlight of her glance ; now went she sad No friend regarding ; for the ways were void ; Or, if a foot-fall sounded, 'twas of men Haggard and gaunt, who moaned, with lips drawn tight, "Hast thou to help us, Sister?" stalking on When, for all answer — with her tears in Hood — She stretched an empty palm. Once and again A mother wiih lean anus held high her babe. Saying: " Buy this, sweet Lady ! for so much A ■ !:•• mall pol of rice, before I die ! " IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 35 And, thrice, in mid-bazaar, she met unveiled With faces wild, wearing a ragged cloth, Stripped of their gems, and gnawing food unfit, Proud purdah women, whom in days gone by No stranger's eye had looked on; now they walked Hungry and unabashed, their beauty marred, Their soft feet stained with mire. No townsman asked, " Balaram's wife, where goest thou ? " The dead Lay silent, and the dying found no voice ; But unto Sita's throbbing heart it seemed As though the sun glared hard, as though the wind Went mocking her, blowing her sari back To strip the harlot's face. All down the street House windows gazed upon her ; Peepal-trees — Which know the things men do, and tell the Gods — Whispered her desperate deed with rustling leaves One to another, and the clamorous crows Cawed scorn against her. So with painful steps Came she to Yittoo's door. The Sett salaamed : " Fortunate day ! " he cried. " Good day and glad Which brings again to us that lotus-face ! In what thing may thy servant pleasure Thee ? " 36 LOTUS AND JEWEL. And Sita — hiding all except her eyes — Made answer, speaking slow and shamedly, " There is come one who must not be denied Unto our house ; he craveth food : — will die If none be given ; and we have none to give. Thou hast desired me : measure now for me Six seers of rice, and tie it in my cloth Asking no money, for our last is spent : — And this night, when the houses are all shut I will come hither, — as thou prayedst me." No word he spake, but with a trembling mouth Kissed her feet, bending down ; then filled her cloth, Not measuring the grain. So Sita came Back to her home, and set the chatty on, And — boiling rice — served to that holy man ; Who ate with brightening eyes, and took farewell ; First raising to his grateful lips the hem Of Sita's garment : " Be it well with thee, Fair Daughter ! " said he, " for thy charity, I I * re and hereafter ! " Entered Balaram Presently — bringing jungle-roots ; but laid His bitter food aside, smelling the rice. IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 37 " Oh, gem of women ! " cried he, " whence is this ? How hast thou conjee, when I could not find One friend in all the town, with half a seer?" " Dear Lord ! " Sita replied, "judge me herein Ere thou dost eat ! There came a holy man, Of pious mien and speech — a Rishi, sure — Reverend to see, wearing the saffron robe, Who craved for food, and moaned, ' Give, or I die ! ' All this she told — and how she cast about Not having food, nor daring to endure Her Lord's hearth should be shamed by churlish deed — " For thou, I know," said she, " had given thy blood To help a Rishi ! " — how — her Lord being gone — Means must be found. Then piteous she went on : " Thou did'st not think — I could not tell — forgive ! Vittoo the Sett these many days hath cast Vile eyes of longing on me, praying me — Once, and once only, — lest he die un joyed — To grant him that — which is for thee alone. And I have spit upon him, praying thus. But now — in such sore need — judge me, dear Lord ! Seeing that holy man at point to die, Thyself away, and nothing left, — save this, 38 LOTUS AND JEWEL. I fetched sis seers from Vittoo — promising That this night, when the houses are all shut, I would go there, and give — what he hath asked." Silent he stood awhile, with limbs braced hard, And breath caught back, and blood chilled in his veins, As when afield th' unwitting antelope Sees the lithe cheetah spring, and knows it death. The next fierce instant in his breast his hand Fumbled the handle of his jungle-knife, A nd settled where to strike — there ! twixt the breasts ! Straight to that bartered heart ! Then, a long sigh Brake from his soul, and — as she sank, full length, Sobbing upon his feet — the rage — the hate, The tempest of his thunderous misery, His husband's wrath — his man's fond passion — passed From lips and eyes, as, on a stormy noon The shadows of the lightning-cloud, which lay Black on the hill-side, flit ; and sunshine gleams. Tin in bast done well! " he said, with breaking voice, "And rightly, Sita! though I would the flames Bad fed on me ere this. It was not meet To let tlic Gum die not possible! IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. y) And tliou hadst no more means ; — and I away. I thought to kill thee, Dear ! whilst thou didst speak ; Then thought to slay the Sett ; — but that is past ! Thou hast not sinned, Fair Wife ! seeking to pay My duty's price, and finding nought to give Save thy sweet self. 'Tis hard we lived for this Who will be dead anon ; yet we should keep — Must keep — our plighted word. Therefore to-night, Thou art this man's ! I part thy savoury rice Into two portions ; one I bid thee eat — Thou must not faint before thou pay est our debt — This other I will take to Venkatrao Whose children famish. Now then, dress thy hair ! No ! not i' the old way ; not that pretty way When I was wont to plunge my lips in its silk ; But as they use who do this trade ; and scent Thy breasts with musk, and paint thy lids, and stain Thy feet and hands with mehndi." " See ! it rains ! When pity comes too late the skies relent : There will be plenty soon for all, and peace, Except for me ! Yet, since it is not lit Thou shouldst go street-stained to the merchant's house. 4 o LOTUS AND JEWEL. With mire on thy fair feet — myself will bear His concubine to Vittoo. Speak not ! Dress ! " And, when Night fell, and all the people slept Lulled by the blessed rain — sounded a knock At Vittoo's door — waiting ajar : a voice Spake softly : " Kholo ! open ! — I am here ! " So, — lighted by the nickering lamp which burned At Ganpat's shrine — the Sett beheld her stand — Beautiful Sita, Sita with dove's eyes, Sita whom all his soul loved and desired, Come to be his ! Joyous he led the way To where an inner room shone bright with lights, And gay with painted walls, and richly set With luxury of yielding beds and shawls Woven with silk and silver. " Sit, I pray ; Ami suffer that I fetch thee foot-water, My goddess! who hast deigned to pace afoot Unto her worshipper ! *' Thus quoth the Sett Half glad, half fearftil of his sighing guest, So Bilent, and so mournful, and so fair. But, when he would have laved those beauteous feet Look ! not a journey-stain ! not one small speck Upon them of bazaar-mud! — and such rain! IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 41 " Now art thou surely Goddess ! " Vittoo said : " And thou hast hither flown on hidden wings, Straight down from Swarga : else, how is there rain On thy smooth head, but no mire on thy feet ? " Sita gave answer — very sorrowful — " My husband bore me hither — knowing all ! " What think ye now that Sett did, hearing this ? P. I cannot tell. He lived to call in debts ! G. We cannot tell ! Oh, Saheb of Sahebs, go on ! 8. He set the water-pot aside, and bowed His forehead to her feet — touching his eyes, His brow, his mouth, his breast, with trembling hands ; Making the eight prostrations. Then, he rose Clasping his palms together, while he paced Thrice round her, as ye circle Parvati Reverently worshipping ; then meekly spake : " I am a sinful man, who dared to grasp At beauty all beyond me, as is Heaven ; At goodness so above me as the stars Are higher than my roof; yet, dare I not Do wrong to him, who did himself this wrong. 42 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Bearing thee hither — out of noblest soul, Out of such truth that it makes false men true. Lady ! go free of me ! and pray thy Lord That he forgive ! Say Vittoo writes thy debt ' Paid ' in his books — with face upon the dust, And lips imploring pardon, as from Gods ! " So came she spotless home ; and the rain fell Through fifteen days ; and rice sold cheap again. Now who did well herein, and who did ill ? Cr. Oh, Shiva ! the sweet tale ! — By Chittor's curse I know it is a sin if holy saints Ask food and none be given ; yet, were I he — Rather such sin, — whatever Manu says — And Death, and Narak after ! than to lose Were I that man — the woman I so loved ! /'. I know it is a sin — as Manu saith — Ti i loose the bond of marriage, and to sell Love fin- a gift ; but yet — had I been there — Rather than turn away that saint unfed — W.re I the woman, and his strait so sore — I had done even as Sita, unabashed ! IN AN INDIAN TEMPLE. 43 S. See now, you stand on either side ! and Right Splits midway, on the edge of Manu's rules. I think — interpreting a Western mind — The wife did evil, helping life to live At cost of Love and Fame, dearer than Life : The husband evil, paying wrongful debt With coin which none should ask, and no man give : And most I praise Yittoo the grain-seller, Who sinned in heart, yet had such heart to see The loveliness of honour — Manu's sort ! P. We must observe a promise ! Azuf Jah Marching to war — only a Mussulman ! — Made compact with our Waglrar cattle-men ; Wrote it in gold, upon a copper plate, And kept its every line ; even now they sing : — " Drink full of my rivers ; Graze free in my fields ; Strip grass from my roofs If no grass the soil yields : Three murders a day I forgive you : — hut, heed That your bullocks stand read// When Azuf hath need/" 44 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Now give me leave, good Sir ! for I must say My sun-down Mantras in the bhut-Jehana. I will return ere Gunga finds her tongue ; That light mind flutters round your story still ! [Exit Govind. G. Indeed, I mused, when the grey Pandit rose, Why I, too, feel — being but a dancing-girl — Vittoo was best ! There must be happiness In that white world of Virtue, whence you brought The tender tale : but let hard thought alone ! At Gwalior the Nautchnees killed a tree, Where Akbar's singer lay, for love of him, And of his tree — plucking the leaves away To make their voices beautiful — till — look ! There was no tree! so may we pluck our lives Leafless with thinking. ' Shall we laugh agaiu Till Govind comes? We did not finish OM, And you look weary: — let me sing you this; — A young Bihari taught the words to me: — \Ounga plays and sings] Choti Gw&lini- -A milkmaid sped Slender, o- FlRE-OPALS, Fanny, from the magic cell ! First of my alchemy, but not its best — Let me lay these upon your hands, and tell Why they seem not unworthy there to rest. For since God chained, in nether rock and bluff", Those radiant, sinful Angels, rebel found, Were ever — in the midst of dead dull stuff — Such burning, flashing beams of glory bound ? I think a broken rainbow would look so, If we could come at it, and steal a tittle When the Arch- Architects of air forego Their work, and leave it drifting loose a little. I pray you gaze a while on these lit stones By fancy fetched from Australasian steeps, Where moony pearl sets blazing scarlet tones, And pale gold melts to green, and amber leaps 56 LOTUS AND JEWEL. To bloomy violets ; and celestial blues Flicker to rose and ruby. You shall turn Nowise these jewels, but their shifting hues To some new brilliancy will swiftly burn. So shall true lady bend no faithful love Toward some new need, but from its patient heart Rays of an unexpected light will move, And richer colours from its spirit start. Mark, also, when the " noble opal " feels Your palm's warm glow, its dancing beauties brighten Breathe on this Hydrophane — the rose-tint steals Prom point to point ; and sea-green flashes lighten The sleeping flint ! Or, lay this Hyalite One instant 'mid the laces of your dress, Then note its sudden splendours ! So, 'tis right Love's colours be drawn forth by tenderness. Yet, here is why ! prize the shifting gem, And why 1 lay it on that dear right hand, ( If all earth's common things the core of them Is bumblest: Sweetheart! pray you understand! OPALS. 57 Mean rubbish of the road -heaps ; silicateB Which gather in chalk-hollows, where, sea-bred, Millions of billions, tubes and tunicates Laid down their limy shells, Nature's small dead. Who would have thought there should be use, or other Service, for such lost Atoms of the main When, sinking through the seas, they give the Mother Their tiny life-garbs, to lay up again ? But She, — who hastes not, wastes not, scorns not — takes it, Each relic of her nameless children gone, Stores her sea-oozes with their spoil, and makes it Chalk down, or marble vein, or quarry- stone. Till ages thence — of ruined nummulites, Pharaohs their pyramids majestic build ; And Pheidias, from a tomb of trilobites, Calls Pallas forth, radiant with helm and shield ! So this fair wonder ; 'tis the draff of rock Melted in fires of under-world, or broken From snow-swept crag, or shorn in earthquake-shock ; Of storm, and stress, and wreck the splintered token. 58 LOTUS AND JEWEL. And yet, because Day's white rays evermore Find their way back into such flinty things, They glow like Seraphs' feathers. None is poor ! None mean ! Heaven's li^ht can make them mates for kings ! A. Herewith, an Amethystine Cup ! see, Dear ! How soft and pure the liquid purple swims ! "lis the Maid's stone : she hath no fault or fear Whose untouched lips drink from such chalice-brims ; Whose virginal cold fingers clasp this stem To quaff the sober wavelet of the streams ; And, if she wear an Amethyst, the gem Keeps her sleep calm, and innocent her dreams. It should be coloured as though violet satin Changed to translucent crystal — with clear glow Of rose-red 'gainst the Sun : — the learned Latin " Eyelid of Venus " styles it, tinted so. Or you may wear Avanturine with spangles Of golden brown ; or Chrysoprase which gleams Pale apple-green ; or Rose-quartz that entangles Blushes of dawn, with white and lilac beams : 60 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Or Sard, the Carver's gem ; or Bloodstone sombre Spotted from veins of Christ — the legend says — Or Prase ; or Plasma, sea-grey stained with umber ; Or Chalcedony, quenching silver rays In milk. These all be sister-miracles Of Amethyst ; treasures of gnomes, brought up From distant caverns where the chill snake dwells 'Mid poisonous flow'rs. Yet, most regard my cup Far-fetched and wonderful ! If you would know Whence came so fair a work of mortal hands, Learn it lay buried many fathoms low Under a temple-tank in Indian lands. (Elian — " the honey-tongued " — its story writes In pleasant Greek ; one, named Heraclia, — A great Dame — in her Garden of Delights Saw a young stork fall on the public way : Some cruel arrow-barb had hurt its wing Spread for long flight to Coromandel's shore ; 1'iteous, in dust and blood, the affrighted thing Lay : — but she sped, and gathered it, and bore — AMETHYSTS. 61 Soft-folded on her breast — into her bower ; And there, with soothing balms and unguents strange, Healed his harsh wound, and gave him back the power Of those broad painted pinions, to outrange The flying crudded rack, poised in high air. Ah, the stork's happy cry when first he rose Over the city-roofs, and spied full clear His road athwart the blue — as a fowl goes On shoulder of West wind — to warm Malay ! A little grieved she that her bird sprang forth So gladsome. Afterwards — on that same way — When Spring brings back the storks from South to North ; While she did pace towards the Altar-stair, Out from the clouds that glad cry rang again : And lo ! th' astonished people were aware Of a great fowl, which clanged, and left his train Of friends ranged wedge-wise. Lighting at her feet There he let fall this beauteous sculptured cup, And laid his neck against her bosom sweet For love of her : then, swiftly soaring up, 62 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Was never seen again ! Heraclia Quaffed from no other vessel, all her life ; And poisons could not harm her; nor — books say — Pains or plagues touch her ; widow, maid, or wife ! But when she died, and this rare goblet lay Beside her bier, there came a whirr of wing Under the marble porch ; and bore away The precious gift. So fell it to the King Of Coromandel : and when he was slain In Chittiir, some one hid it in the tank. I bade my minion fish it up again, And bear to thee. Drink as Heraclia drank ! N. NErHRlTE, herewith ! the sea-green China Jade ; A sacred stone ! If you would magic try Carve I. 8. I. I on a square well-made, (Its demon-number) in the charactery » Of hieroglyphs — for Egypt knew this well And named it Nilion from her ancient river ; In Babylon 'twas dedicate to Bel ; Kings sealed decrees therewith ; aye ! and, or ever A Spaniard's eye from Darien surveyed — Amazed — the blue Pacific's endlessness, Those feather-cinctured Aztecs worshipped Jade And graved their Gods upon it ! Well ! — impress The figures ; set it in pure gold, and breathe Thrice at the dawning on it, -thrice at night, Repeating " Thoth " five hundred times ; then wreathe A red thread round it — afterwards no wight, 64 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Be he crowned Prince, or Lord, or Common man, Saith nay to any wish that shall arise ! But you — you smile ! knowing how Woman can Weave stronger spells with jewels of her eyes. Leave, then, the amulet. Still, — if you take A bead of grey Jade, cut with Shiva's mark, 'Tis sure — by Hindoo mantras — not one snake Will dare to cross your pathway in the dark ! You " will not walk," say you, " where such be found," Eve of a safer Paradise ? — Then, see How daintily the pale green Nephrite-ground Backs the hot rubies in this jewellery Of Muslim art ! An Amir's dagger-hilt, Patiently polished for his angry hand ! Note how the damasked waving blade is built With blood-channels, and all its beauty planned To kill, kill, kill ! exquisite devilry Of arabesques of death, wrought without joint 'Mid two pure rows of seed-pearls, running free Hither and thither in a slot ; keen point JADE. 65 Like a snake's tooth ! Ileed the gold script inlaid All up and down the steel like trickling blood ! Ya Jannat — "Ah, the Garden ! " — that is said To signify one little thrust makes good The road to Paradise ; and see, writ deep Bi maruf u'lldh "by God's love and fear, To whomso 'tis appointed I bring sleo^p Deeper than poppies ! " Yet another here — A lovely masterpiece of mortal spite Hafted in delicate Avanturine ; Sumptuously set with ruby stars of light As if a foeman's gore congealed had been In drops about the gilded guard : its badge Al hamdu wa al manat Lillahi " To God be praise and glory ! " meaning rage To consecrate ! And all this srear to see tr Of Jade and gems, embellishing mere Hate ! If craftsmen to cold murder lend such <_ r race What should they do for Love ? Ah, Sweetheart, wail ! My slaves shall seek gifts in a gentler place. N. Nacre, and Pearls of Ormuz, now I fetch From the bright stores of Love's enchanted Palace ; Know you, perchance, how that poor formless wretch — The Oyster — gems his shallow moonlit chalice ? "Where the shell irks him, or the sea-sand frets, There, from some subtle organ, he doth shed This lovely lustre on his grief, and gets Peace, and the world his labour, being dead. Ah, patient foolish fish of the Orient seas ! What else do we, the Poets, serfs of men, But pour our souls out in soft verse, to ease Our aches, and die ; and people make us then Wealth, whence they draw musical ornament For lovers' use, and sweet wise things to say ; And wonder if the Lady did relent, Or keep the pearls, and throw the life away. PEARLS. 67 For here be pearls, too ; pearls of lucent ray For some one strung to mark her where she goes A Pearl of women ; and when others say " Oh, you glad Lady ! who did give you those : — " Pearls of white thought, pearls of a lasting love ? " Then will you finger them on your fair throat, And answer : " These came deeper than from grove Of sea-trees, green beneath the diver's boat ! " Full many a fathom down I hanselled them In heart of him who did not grudge, indeed ; He would have melted Cleopatra's gem In wine of verse, if I had said ' I need " ' New splendours for my necklet ? " On one day I did not know he lived ; and that day's morrow I knew he loved me well; and thence — alway — I am his peace and pain, his crown and sorrow ! " "Ah," they will cry, "for such strong faith, Pardie ! We, now, had shown great favour; pearls are much ! " But thou, wear, and speak nought ! — I give them thee Free of all price, and a king's hoard of such. 68 LOTUS AND JEWEL. There was a King promised his beauteous Queen A virgin necklace of pure matchless pearls Which ne'er before had worn or threaded been, Milk-white from where the Arab fisher furls His sails of mat ; and stoops and plunges in, And sees the light fade farther from his eyes, And hears the dreadful, weltering, waters' din ; Yet dares the agony, and grasps the prize ; — Sinking a slave, with hardly means to feed; Returning, gift-giver to Queens and Kings, — The brine choking his lips, the bladdered weed Tangling his feet, but those pale precious things Safe in his loin cloth ! And, perchance, one day He watched the high Sultana pass in state ; The necklace warm between her breasts, her way Lined by a worshipping crowd, her sceptred mate Proud of that pearled Consort. And his heart Would langh within him saying, "Lord of lands ! In what thou lovest I, too, claim a part! She is so fair because these toilsome hands PEARLS. 69 " Tore from the waves their wealth. Yea, Pearl of pearls! Lulu-'l-maknim ! than Ilouris lovelier, That hast the blaek eyes of the Prophet's Girls Promised in Paradise, and mouth of myrrh ; " In next life after this whose wilt thou be, His that gave gold for thee, or mine, who went Across the shark's jaws to the nether sea, Nigh dead for breath, that thou migkt'st pace content ? " So, Queen of mine ! I am that Eastern King ! These pearls were never strung which I send thee ; I ransacked unknown gulfs for them, I bring New moonlight wonders from an unsailed sea. 'O" Nay, and my Pearl ! I am that Arab Diver ! I stooped and plunged for you into the wave, Returning rich — yet richer, when forever, The treasure of the upper air I hav« ■ ; If not ! — Ah, life's light quenched, and life's faith broken! How fares it with pearl-fisher dead and foiled? Lost ! — tossing on the billows for a tokeu Of his large hope, he drifts where he had toiled ; 70 LOTUS AND JEWEL. And sea-birds — which are like sharp thoughts — consume him ; And hideous fish — fierce as love-lonsnnsfs — tear The heart that beat so bold ; and storm-clouds gloom him Out from the sight of Heaven. Pity him, Dear ! Y. Ydcut Asfur : so the swart Sonar names These golden-lighted topazes from Ind : If you should heed his tale, their yellow flames Gleam in the dark so that a man may find A path thereby ; or read in Holy Writ ; Or see her lips whose neck lies on his arm ; Also the topaz (levigating it) Cures sleeplessness, scant breath, and fever's harm ; Soothes anger ; strengthens wit ; counterchecks spells ; Aids divination, and — on cups inlaid — If poison lurk within, faithfully tells, Becoming pale ! Albertus Magnus said It was Draconium — a Dragon's bone — (Black and pyramidal) which rendered sight To Theodosius. Nay, indeed, the stone Was Topaz ! Shall I give you this aright ? 7 2 LOTUS AND JEWEL. 'Twas in those times when birds and beasts could talk, Who now are wiser than to know too much ; When newer eyes saw Shades and Angels walk ; And younger hands feared not God's hand to touch ; The ' Gesta llomanorum ' tells it : — he, The blind great Csesar, hung a brazen gong Before his Palace-gate, whither nocked free All citizens, and whoso suffered wrong Might beat the brass and speak — lofty or low — Into that Emperor's ear, patient reclining ; The purple wrapped around his sightless brow, But in his soul the Light of Justice shining. Thus, one day came a snake which had her young Under the gateway-tower : she, sharply hissing, Struck with her coils the echoing gong that hung Against the porch. Thereon, Caesar — dismissing The dark-eyed girls who fanned him — cried in Greek "Have entrance, friend!" And, gliding in, the Snake Did homage with her crest in dust; then, meek Addressed the Master of the East: "1 make TOPAZES. 73 " My nest beneath thy wall, where, yesternight, Safe slept my brood — to me more fair and brave Than those rich ropes of sards and jacinths bright Binding thy head-cloth : but, while I, thy slave, " "Wandered for food, there stole a porcupine Into my hole, and ate my snakelets three ; And hath my wonted house, as 'twere not miue ! And will uot yield ! Now, therefore, unto me Grant justice, Ceesar ! " Then, the sightless King Gave straight command they kill that beast, and lead The Serpent safely homeward. And this thing Was wrought ; and men lightly forgot the deed. But, on the morrow, at the hour of noon — When Theodosius on his day-bed slept — Jewelled with many a jet and amber moon, And ringed and gilt, a monstrous serpent crept Over the patterned pavements, clomb the bed ; And, gliding to the cheek of Cassar, laid From its wide jaws, — thick-set with fangs and red, — A Topaz upon either lid ! Aifrayed 74 LOTUS AND JEWEL. The Guards beheld, and would have slain the Worm Save that it uttered : " Let me pass with life ! Rouse ye your Lord ! then will all men affirm I pay full court-fees for my righted wife." And lo ! when Theodosius waked, his eyes Were purged of cloud ! the blessed beam of Day Shone once more, his to joy in ; and surprise Fell on the city. But Love wins alway ! Two marvels hath the Topaz ! When 'tis laid — The light wine-coloured jewel — in the sun, Day by day you shall mark its glories fade ; Golden and crimson lustres, one by one, Perishing into paleness ! Lesson-laden The gem's deed is, for see you not a token ? Was never tender secret of fair maiden But lost its deep delight in being spoken. Again, take amber-yellow Topazes ! Heat them — safe-packed in crucible — and lay All glowing on white stone ; and then, as is The dying dolphin's change, or shift of Day TOPAZES. 75 Melting to Night, so show the strange adornings Of this gem cooling : first, like ice it gleams Hueless, then steals a tender tint of morning's Soft earliest saffron ; afterwards it beams Snch faint pale pink as white hedge-roses blush with ; And last — all suddenly — a rosy glow Shoots through the stone, as rich as rubies flush with ; Remaining fixed ! Who made the Sun doth know- Why this should be ! Yet, clasp these jewels, too, Near to your heart ! My next slave flies to bear Stuff for that structure which I promised you, A Fairy Palace, richer than Kings rear. — X>^ I MOONSTONE, and Malachite and Almondine ! These for the Pleasure-Place I build with song, Since you did say : " Now, lodge me like a Queen ! Feign me a Bower of Fancy ! Love is strong ! " Here, then, I dream a dream to house you in, A Palace for my Princess, saying that : The spot shall be where the great hills begin, Rollins' in dark waves from the Deccan flat. -b This way on Maharashtra's plains they look ; That way to mountains and the Arab sea ; A forest, full of many a tangled nook, Clothes the grey crags with green embroidery. Fair is the scene, and sweet the seasons all ; The folk Mahrattas; pastoral, simple, brave. Thither my fairy architects 1 call, And there a lovely Indian home I'd have ! MOONSTONE. 77 Like to abodes of the East, the stateliest planned, With white wide walls, high domes, gates gold and red ; Pillared ckabootras, dark with shade, shall stand Round the first court, where steps of marble spread Before a pierced-work porch, whereby you pass To inner coolness, through a columned cloister, Whose roof — rose-crystal — polished thin as glass, Lights the veined pavements, all of alabaster. Scented strange woods shall frame the chamber-doors, Fountains of fragrant waters will be there ; Along the ways, and winding stairs, and floors Delicious things of Art shall make it fair ! Blossoms of unnamed hues and odours fine Shall deck the courts for you — the Flower of All ! Birds in the orange-walks and lanes of vine Shall know your name, and come when you do call ! Flowers, too, shall glow of never-fading bloom. On screens of Jasper wrought, fencing the Bower, Such as one sees in that white Temple-Tomb, Reared by great Shah Jehan on Jumna's shore, 78 LOTUS AND JEWEL. To keep for ever famous Mumtaz' name — The Lady of his Throne — a hundi-ed gems, Cut to their burning hearts one flower to frame ; Then inlaid on the slabs, in anadems, And wreaths, and arabesques of rare conceit, A changeless garden, where the happy eye Lights nowhere, but some posy, costly-sweet, Fills it with joy of daintiest jewellery. I will have columns such as Solomon Commanded of his Djins — naming The Name Cut in the blue of that dread signet stone, His magic Sapphire ; columns such as came Across the Aramcean sands, across The Erythrcean billows ; syenite, Black porphyry purple-veined, the satin gloss Of onyx ; coral, crystals, chrysolite, With abaci of silver. I will have A milk-white warm pavilion in the midst, Such as Siddartha, Prince of India, gave To bright Yasudhara. Whisper thou didst MOONSTONE. 79 That " Love is rich ; " and what, then, shall prevent Our Palace with such Amethyst lamps to light As gleamed o'er Cleopatra's sleep, and sent Rays of soft splendour through th' Egyptian night ; Dimming Mizar and Algol ? What forbids To ordain such hangings as Aladdin chose Of blue and amber silks ; and coverlids Stiff with sewn gold and seed pearls ? Ay, or those Carpets of Iran woven thick with tints Of peach and tulip ; and sweet secret times Of Leila and Majniin ; and pictured hints Of lovers' bliss ; and tender subtle rhymes From Persian verse — seggadehs gay, where fall The henna-stained small feet of Shiraz girls Softly as snow on roses. Therewithal A pleasaunce shall extend, where a stream purls Cold from the crags, the sunny lawns along, Sparkling from stone to stone ; bordered by ranks Of blue and crimson lotus, and a throng Of plumed palms shading all the dappled banks So LOTUS AND JEWEL. With shifting fans ; and underneath the palms, Moon-flowers, mnsk-roses, and the silvery spear Of aloes, and the champak's star of balms, With milky mogras, breathing far and near Breath as from Paradise ; Oh, and the walks (New-watered every dawn) cut low and high With runnels, where the mountain- water talks Music to doves and mynas, nesting nigh ; Ofttimes o'erleaped by golden-coated hordes Of antelope, the bucks leading the way ; The limpid-eyed light does following their lords, Their shyness gone ; friendly, and safe, and gay : For in our Palace peace and love shall reign, And all fair creatures of the air and earth Be friends of man, who, elsewhere, pays his pain With pain and harm to these ; though Death and Birth Are one for all, and Life the self-same sadness, Where Love and Pity rule not ! There shall be For gentle service faces full of gladness ; Willing swift feet, and happy vassalry ; MOONSTONE. 81 For good it is to obey where Love is master, And freest he who serves the noblest Queen ; Therefore, thou minister! bring — fast and faster- Moonstone, and Malachite, and Almondine ! A. Aquamarine — from Fancy's treasure-hall ! Yet sad to-day for me this sea-green stone ; For on the Channel-sands your light feet fall, And I, among these millions, walk alone. But, wave-stained jewel ! shine with brighter thought ! It was across the Deep — years back — she came ; The billows, which are of thy colour, brought That gentle face to us. For this I name The Beryl, water-tinted, as one stone To spell you. On its lucent face is writ fiaKpov aireaTL T07709 — " all alone, Far hence, among the wine-dark waves, they sit." The " happy Isles," he means, who carved that line ; For ancient sailors told a mystic story IIow some had seen, had touched — in joy divine — Makaron ncsous, at the " Groups of Glory," AQUAMARINE. 83 The sweet " Sea-Paradise " — so hints this Greek ! Ah, if wave-coloured gem could guide us there ; And we, far voyaging, might sight some peak Unknown, unnamed — cleaving the tranquil air With pinnacles which feel no storm, and steeps Lawny and lovely, where Death does not come, Nor change, nor hate, nor care ; but alway sleeps The purple main around the perfect home ! Where we should find delightful friends and lovers, And hear no word of woe on any lip ; Opening glad eyes, as when the Dawn discovers A sky of blue and gold, and ill dreams slip Back to that gloom which bred them : where the wonder Of " whence " and " why " and " whither " would be known ; And we should lie, like Gods, above the thunder, The Past perceived, the Future sure and shewn ; Such were great magic ! But the Isles in mind Rise farther than the farthest ocean, Dear ! Thither to sail — with e'er so fair a wind — Asks more than toil of many a wandering year .' 84 LOTUS AND JEWEL. We shall not reach them, save with Earth for vessel, Sky for our sea, and for long voyage Life ; But if Love steers, at last our sails may nestle, Furled in those far-off Isles — past storm and strife. R. Rubies, with Pearls ! That's Nature's jewellery ! Look in your mirror when you speak my name, And while you say it you may plainly see Those charming reasons why I write the same ; Pearl-rows which gleam through rose-leaf lips of grace — Ah, no ! — I will not weave such worn-out posies ; I had a higher fancy for this place Than rhymes which jingle " rubies, pearls, and roses." For these are Mdnikas — stones true and good, Which my spell brings from Burmah's steaming grove. Such have the colour of the drop of blood Shed on the white neck of a wounded dove. Of such was carved the magic vial filled With water from the " Fount of Youth " that wells Behind the " Sea of Darkness ; " water spilled By Sultan Suleiman. Ben Ali tells LOTUS AND JEWEL. This legend, done in Persian, from the Book •• Lights of Canopus " — how the Hebrew Khan Sate on the cloud-roofed mountain-tops which look This wav on Ind, that wav to Khorasan. Angels and Djins and Peris round the king Paid homage, mixed with man and beast and bird, For on his finger was the Sapphire-ring I Graved with the name of God, which whoso heard, Hearing, obeved. Wherefore the Eagles flew Against the sun, to shade him ; she-bears brought Wild honey ; snakes their jewels ; flowers upgrew To make a footstool for his feet. Outrau^ht o Over the Earth his sceptre none withstood In lands, or seas, or nether-worlds, or sky- Where — like to glassy fish in glassy flood, Blue in blue hyaline — the Spirits lie Unviewed, but living : and, this thing was seen ; There drifted from the Pass a darksome cloud Which, sliding nigh — the mountain-crests between,- Took vast and filmy form, at first a shroud RUBIES. 87 That seemed to wrap some phantom-head : but, soon A shape of grace whose light and colour gleamed From gold of setting sun, pearl of new moon, "\\ itli wings of waving sapphire, hair which streamed Curled ^acinth on the breeze ; garments of amber Draped vaguely from an azure girdle-band ; (jreat b*easts of rounded rose, veils that enchamber A half-spied awful countenance ; a hand Slow-issuing from the shade, holding a cup Cut from the sunset's ruby, — light compressed To soiid splendour — " Drink this liquor up ! " A voice cried : ;; drink, dread King ! The high beh " Of Him Whose Name is on thy Signet-Stone Wills I bring water from the Well of Life ; Of all men, Suleiman ! to thee alone God proffers this ! a draught with power so rife " That, quaffing it, thy flesh and blood shall take Even as an Angel's, comely, changeless youth : Days without end, delights of sense to make Immortal years seem few ; insight of Truth 88 LOTUS AND JEWEL. " Such as thy Soul hath craved for. Drink or spill ! Have here this Vessel with its dancing draught ; My errand is performed ! Judge how ye will, Suleiman and the Counsellors ! " A waft Of sighing wind scattered the waning shape ; In the King's grasp the Euby Vial shone ; Far down the Pass — from splintered cape to cape — Faded the breaking cloud-flecks, one by one. But, when the strange Voice ceased, Suleiman mused : — " Yea ! good it were to drink this gift of God ; Good to repair my days and nights misused, Treading with wiser steps life's ways retrod : " Good to win back the fiery speed of youth In veins which slacken ; good to ever guard My kingdom ; to strip bare beautiful Truth With eyes undimmed, heart's hot desire unmarred, " Wholly possessing her, naked and pure ; Myself ever renewed, joyous, and strong ; Good, too, it were to have my years endure, That God's fair Temple, — which I fashion long — RUBIES. 89 " May grow to perfect glory ; and my wars Close in sure peace, — I seeing, age by age, My people prosper under wider stars, In larger lands ; till, on the great last page " Of this World's Book Suleiman's name shall shine ! Yea ! I will drink ! Yet, ye who gather near, Djins ! Angels ! Beasts and Fowls, Servants of mine ! How counsel ve vour Kin^ ? Fain would I hear." ■- With loud acclaim, " Drink, happy King ! " said they ; And one with dark plumes folded, evil-eyed, Sakhrah the Dev — who, later, stole away Suleiman's signet-ring — low bending, cried : " Drink, Lord of Lords ! the gold of youth is bright, And dull the silver of slow-creeping eld ; And dear are wealth and power ; and soft the night By dawn of lovely ladies' eyes dispelled ! " And Shir the Djin spake: — knowing magic best — " Drink, Friend of God ! the Earth's weal rests on thee As sleeps an infant on a nursing breast ; It were not well thy Throne should vacant be ! " 9 o LOTUS AND JEWEL. And Amberin the Peri, gliding close With flutter of white plumes, said, " Drink, my King ! The joys of men and Devs in thee repose As gems are held in cirque of golden ring ! " Assad the Lion answered for the beasts, Laying his shagged mane at the Monarch's feet, " Drink, Master of all forests ! Thy brave feasts Have known no wine like this, subtle and sweet ! " And Sag, the Seal, moist from the Indian main, Drooped his black fins, and bellowed : " Sovereign, drink ! The Water-creatures and the Fish are fain That thou shouldst live for ever ! " From the brink Of Baikal flew the Locust, chirping : " Khan ! Drink ! for all things which burrow, creep, and buzz, Trust thee to help them, helping beast and man : And Who doth raise the dead from one bone, Luz, " Gives thee at one draught Angelhood ! " Spake last Hud-kud, the Lapwing, piping : " I have seen The glory of Queen Balkis now overpassed ; Driuk, Lord ! for never such a gift hath been ! " RUBIES. 9' But glancing sternly round, quoth Suleiman : " Are all things here ? Hath none some other rede ? Lo ! ere I drink, and pass to God from Man, Is every counsel uttered ? " " Hast thou need, " Great King ! " the hill-fox barked, " to hear what word Kumri will speak ? She tarrieth on her nest ! I spied her in the thorns ! " " Send forth a bird To summon her ! " quoth he. At such behest Came Kumri, flying from her tree ; the Dove Who hath the neck of purple, and the wings Of silver, and the breast filled full of love : Heaven's softest creature. Spake she : " King of Kings, " Pardon thy handmaid that she stayed to brood Twin eggs which must not chill ! Thy dread command Passed unto me, and I have left my wood ! What dost thou with the red cup in thy hand ? " " I hold from Heaven a draught of life immortal, The Ma-ul-Haiyat ! " Suleiman replied : " If I shall quaff, Death's dark and hateful portal Never can gape for me ! " Then, Kumri sighed : 92 LOTUS AND JEWEL. " Ah, mighty Lord ! how should a little bird, Which only knows to nest and brood and coo, Counsel great Suleiman ? Yet be this heard ; Hath He, Who gave the water, given, too, " The boon that whosoever holds thy heart, — Queen, lover, friend, concubine, daughter, son — May in the magic potion take their part ? For then this guerdon were a precious one ! " " Nay ! " the King said, " to me alone the cup ! Not larger, see ! than those eggs thou didst leave ! I am commanded — if I will — to sup Its last bright drop ! " Then, moaned the Dove " I grieve " They counsel thee to drink ; for all will go, Thy Queens, thy children, ministers, and slaves ; Thy best belov'd will be as last year's snow On these hot mountains ! Thou wilt rule mid graves, " Dead — thou though livest — with thy dead ; and see Lip after lip, pressed once to thy lip, press The bitter brim of Fate's black cup ; and be Sad in thy splendour, with such loneliness RUBIES. 93 " As deserts know not, nor the lifeless main : Thy Earth around thee will grow old and grey ; Thy Kingdoms pass ; thy fields fall wild again, But thou — too favoured — shalt be young alway " With memory only old ; yet, that will taste Death in the dust which blows from every tomb ; Death in the flowers which wave in every waste, Death in the mid-day light, death in the gloom ! " Lord of all Kings ! forgive ! Love bids me speak ! If her mate cometh not the wild dove dies ! I would not drink hereof, who am so weak, Lest I might lose by gaining : Love is wise ! " Thereon departed Kumri — flying hard To find her nest ere the twin eggs should chill : And Suleiman the King, upon the sward With eager hand the magic draught did spill. Idocrase ! Garnet from the Hills of Flame ! A stone thus known hides in dark Hentha's glade Which, when the Indians find, with joy they name, And — proving — toil no more ; their gain is made : The " Noble Garnet ! " There the colour lives So fine and rich no wheel can cut it dim : Flake it, or break it, every splinter gives One glorious crimson glow from core to rim ; The colour of the blood of a man's heart AY hen — between red and purple — it doth sweep Through the chief vein of all ; nay, or a part Of the heart's self, carved where the life lies deep. So if you say " such praise is common speech ! " And " I have heard these tender things before ! '' Ah, Sweetheart ! let my Indian Garnets teach A better word to you, a wiser lore ; GARNETS. 95 For these are cut, Dear ! from a heart of faith ; The colour of Love's blood within them glows. Know you a mystical Purana saith There lurks in Balkh, under the lower snows, A gem so hued, like purple wine congealed, Styled Chintasiddhi (that's " Desire fulfilled "), And, whoso lighteth on it, goes afield Where two streams meet 5 and — water being spilled From forth his palm to all six quarters — then He whispers " OM " — the stone laid on his tongue, And therewith, from the forest or the glen, A red she-wolf advances, great with young, Who speaks a word ; and, if the man hath learned The counter- word, that wolf will whine and moan ; And — sudden — to a red-haired woman turned Cry out : " I am the Servant of the Stone ! " " Command me as thou wilt ! " Then, if he wills A feast be spread for him on plates of gold ; A palace builded in the hidden hills, With courts and gardens wondrous to behold ; 96 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Or, if lie will a magic horse with wings To bear him through the Blue ; or mail of proof No steel can pierce ; or if his fancyings Lean towards lovely wives, or wealth, or woof Of Kashmir silks with warp of silver thread, Or pearls, or poisons — she with blood-bright locks Fetcheth them all ! You shake a dubious head ? You think the heathenish Purana mocks ? Oh, but the Talmud hath a passage, Dear ! — The grave, great Talmud — telling how one flouted Rabbi ben Zachai, at the hour of prayer, Who said, while that rash unbeliever doubted, Jahveh would build gates for Jerusalem Of pearls and garnets, measuring every way Full thirty cubits — every stone of them — And cut them to ten cubits ; and so lay Thresholds and lintels. Yet, that scorner laughed ! But, next moon, sailing on tho Joppa sea, A white wave cast him over, and he quaffed Salt drink of Death, down-sinking horribly ; GARNETS. 97 And touched the oozy bed ; and saw — a (frayed, — Sea-angels there, who rolled great pearls and stones Full thirty cubits broad and long; and made Blocks of their mighty beauty. So his bones Quaked at the sight, for all their angry eyes Burned on him ; and he spake : " Oh, Angels ! say Why cleave ye these ? " They answered, in stern wise, " We cleave these pearls and carbuncles to lay The portals of the Holy City ! " Judge If ho came back in better mind — what time They washed his mouth clean of the weeds and sludge, And heard his trembling tale! Ah, Darling ! rhyme Relates not half the marvels which lie hid Behind our mocking light ! My next slave goes To stranger spots than he ; and, since I bid, Brings thee a Gem from Aaron's breast-plate rows. A. The third row of the holy Breast-Plate stood " Agate, and Ligure, and an Amethyst." Great Jewels, graven with the tribes of God, Hallow my page ! and thou, be thy brow kissed By Seraphim, as I hang this above it ; Thy hands held up by Cherubim to pray ; Thy soul made sure that splendid spirits love it ; Thy feet set fast upon the blissful way ! For, though I bring thee hither but in fiction " Ephod of blue and gold," with mystic gem, Let my verse pass, but be its benediction Lasting, and crown thee like a diadem ! Since prayer fulfils itself which rises rightly From lips by gentle love made true and sweet ; o, let these belted Agates glitter brightly ; As when llaroiin cast beneath his feet AGATES. 99 Coats of the camp, and donned white robe and mitre ; And round his waist the " curious girdle " tied ; And drew the thongs and gilded ouches tighter. Hanging his breast-plate high — Oh, beautified By wondrous work of " gold and blue and crimson, On fine-twined cloth " — the gold beat out four-square A span each way ; and gold chains linked the rims on, With fourfold ranks of jewellery set fair, — First Sardius, Topaz, and the Jaspis green ; Next Smaragd, Sapphire, and an Adamant ; Third, Ligure, Agate, Amethyst were seen Laid on chased beddings; and the fourth line burnt With Beryl, Onyx, Chrysolite : each stone Carved with a Tribal name ! And he would go Behind the Veil; where — shut from Earth, alone He saw and heard what Israel might not know ; For there the Ark was, and the Cherubim Beat from pure gold, with gulden pinions Bpread Shading the Mercy-Seat. There God wilh him Talked; and none other heard the dread words said. ioo LOTUS AND JEWEL. But, if the days were evil — if the camp Had sinned — the Agate changed its white to black ; Waned the green Smaragd like a dying lamp; The Sapphire half its heavenly blue did lack ! Ah ! if our gems of human love we bore Behind that Veil, would many — any — keep Their beauty of the laughing Day ? Would more Be dimmed, than brightened ? See what legions weep Of love-lorn maids for wooers proved untrue ! What cohorts of true wooers curse false maids ! Let us not enter in ! Enough, if you Are fair, and I your poet fond, who braids These jewelled fancies for your hair ! At last, I think where Love has lived, it cannot die ; Its flame may wane, its lustrous light seem past, But what once shone shines on eternally ! Fes! lil'l the Veil! In that dread darkness pray I Heaven make your years all happy — till we know — Th' Angelic peace compass and fill you — say I — And God's love conif when Earthly love must go! p AMBER ! You shall have Amber Leads to hind Your smooth brown hair — threaded with Lazulite ! I send my minion on swift wings to find These hidden spoils of Earth for your delight : And when — round the Madonna's painted head — You limn aerial backgrounds, do you know That the soft azures which your pencils spread Come from this Lazulite — gold-spangled so ? " Ultramarina," — those same sea-blue stones — Dug from dark caverns fringing Baikal's lake — The lucent airs, and large etherial tones. And passages of painter's skies do make. I think if you should delve such Lazulite As hides within my heart — all gold and blue — The gold of it would make your days seem bright, The blue of it might arch fair skies for you : 102 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Well ! take or leave ! You are too rich to need it ; And love is sorrow — so say all the wise — Though lovers never yet have deigned to heed it, Since first vour sweet sex cost us Paradise ! Is Love so sad ? This Amber, clear and golden, — Wept from great trees which, when the woods began, Waved boughs, it may be, over lovers olden, Shaded their slumbers, built primeval man His nuptial bowers : for, see ! the bead encloses Winged things which fluttered in life's goodlihead ; Here is embalmed memorv of meadow-roses, An epitaph on unseen summers dead. So, too, for me, the Indian name of Amber Enshrines the pathos of a Buddhist page : — Ah, now ! no story for a lady's chamber ! Only the fable of some old-world Sage ! Yet, you shall hear : she was Suvarna, " Shining," — The soft word pictures all the grace we praise In Beauty's inner beam, subtly combining Body and Soul, a perfumed lamp whose rays AMBER AND LAZULITE. 103 Gleam dim through alabaster. Legends note us Her " eighteen perfect points," the fragrant hair ; 11 ie eyes clear-cut as petals of the lotus ; The shapely nose, the little faultless pair Of ears carved shell-wise, and the close-set bosoms Rounded " like tortoise-shell ; " the brown soft arms ; Snail hands, fine feet, mouth " red as bimba-blossoms," jait of a pacing roe, form showing charms Liie Sachi's, Queen of Heav'n. Lords did adore her, lianas and Khans from many wondrous lands : — Kings came on elephants to kneel before her, Their kingdoms' jewels in their humbled hands. Wlen she would dance it seemed like Music moving, visible, living ! When she sang, the Rose Forgot its nightingale ! the Ko'il loving Stayed in his midway note to listen close ! When one had seen Suvarna — says my story — Fresh from the bath, in robes of gold and red. Her beauty glittering forth with youth's full glory. Glad, in her palace, on an ivory bed; — 104 LOTUS AND JEWEL. All women seemed her shadows ! Still — 'tis written — Lovers were many, but beloved none : Not once with Kama's arrow sank she smitten ; This sun-light Lady wearied of the sun ! Then she heard Buddha preach ; and fierce upon her Fell passion for that holiness he taught : She would ' Bhikshuni ' live ; no heart should own he' ! Freed should her soul be, and her footsteps brough; Into the " Noble Path ! " So went she lonely Climbing the hill-side to Lord Buddha's Cave ; Hungering for Rest and Righteousness, — those only — Thirsting for sweet melodious words which save. But, on the midmost steep, whose rugged ways Wounded the rose-red palms of her light feet, A streamlet brimmed a pool : Suvarna stays To sit and drink the water cool and sweet. Thus, bending in the shadow of the mountain To dip her hand and sip tho crystal wave. Like a steel mirror the translucent fountain Back to her gaze her own bright image gave. AMBER AND LA ZU LITE. 105 There was the braided splendour of her tresses ! There the det'p wonder of her large dark eyes ! There the brown neck and breast, made for caresses, The flower-soft mouth, the shadowed charm which lies In curve of nape, and sweep of silken shoulder ; The supple tapering waist, the swelling round Of kip and shapely limb : — her own beholder Suvarna marvelled at the form she found. " Was I so fair ? " she sighed : " Well might they love me, Rajas and Sirdars ! And what days we had, Good, glorious days ! before the ache did move me To hear this llishi. Am I sane or mad " To mount his hill ? The Gods have given me beauty As to the Ketuk-flower they gave perfume ; And gold bands to their bees ! Is it not duty The bee should suck the honey of the bloom ? " Therewith her tears welled, falling — pearl by pearl — Into the pool, which broke its glass with ripples ; Vanished the image ! Then the Indian Girl Tied the silk choli-strings beneath her nipples ; 106 LOTUS AND JEWEL. And drew her sari round ; and, rising, turned, Taking the downward path, and softly saying : " Nay ! — for such grace and youth must not be spurned ! I was not made for penance and for praying : " Some last, best, lover waits me ! " So, she runs Laughing, adown the slope — distantly hearing Gay murmurings of the town, and pleasant tones Of pipe and lute ; and feet of hamals bearing Brides to their bridegrooms, " They who will may tread The Noble Eoad," quoth she, " be mine the valley Where pleasure lives ! " But Buddha overhead — Calm in his cave — beheld Suvarna's folly ; And pitied her ; and, pitying, sought to save : So (saith the tale) by magic utterance stripping His own form off, assumed the aspect, brave And winsome, of a Nautch-Girl, featly tripping Along the Damsel's path ; more heavenly fair, Comelier and brighter than Suvarna's brightness ; With tender wistful gaze, and gracious air, Soft happy smile, and steps of dancing lightness. AMBER AND LAZULITE. 107 Amazed, enchanted, " Ah, thou loveliest One ! " Suvarna cries : " Oh, not of Earth, but Heaven ! What is thy name ? what errand goest thou on ? Beautiful, perfect, Sister ! art thou given " To comfort and confirm me ? Come with me! " Answered the stranger, — soft as running water, Or wood-doves cooing — " Sweet such company ! I am content ! " And so Suvarna brought her o With tender hand in tender hand enlacing, And hearts close-beating, and commingling eyes, Far down the hill. As that bright pair went pacin<_:', Melted with gentle love Suvarna sighs : " Shiva ! how fair thou art ! th' Asoka's honey Draws not the sunbird as thou drawest me ! More than to list the wisdom of the Muni It were to rest thy head upon my knee, u And weave thy waist a girdle with mine arms, And press a thousand-times thy mouth of wonder : Dear ! let us sit — the sun grows hot ! thy charms Ask shade, like palm-buds in the month of thunder ! " 108 LOTUS AND JEWEL. So sate they down ; and, locked in close embraces Fed on each other's fairness — love for love — Hands joined, arms twined, locks intermixed, soft faces Nestled together like a dove with dove : Till, fondling her to rest, her silk lids kissing, Toying with taper hands, and smooth dark skin, Suvarna's self sank into sleep, yet pressing That beauteous maid her circling arms within. All the fierce noon and afternoon they slumber ; At eve the Indian girl, starting, awoke : I said this was no tale for lady's chamber ! Ah, can you bear to hear what terror broke On sad Suvarna's gaze ? Clasped to her heart A festering corpse tainted the air ; its bones Ridged the shrunk flesh ; the putrid inward part Blotched it with green and purple ; cold as stones Glared its glazed orbs ; all the fair grace was fled Like gold fruit mouldered, or a lily's crown Withering to foulness ! Oh, that awful Dead ! — Suvarna flung her horrid playmate down, AMBER AND LAZULITE. 109 And shrieked, veiling her eyes ; and ran a space, "Wringing her palms. Then, nigh at hand, she saw Lord Buddha looking on her tearful face With countenance of majesty and awe. " Daughter ! " spake he, " for this thing thou hast lefl The path which should have led thee unto bliss! Lo ! as the flower fades and the fruit is reft, Love ends in parting, Beauty fails to this ! " As she was, so shalt thou be, and thy kind ! Nay, if it chagrined thee to kiss a skull, Be done with Love ! always — red lips behind — Grin those white jaws for flames of funeral ! " And worse things be than funeral pyres, or parting ; The Spirit, sick with passion and sweet pain, Flits back from Death to Life for direr starting On Earth's wild wheel, and builds its house again : " Since, what thou art, thou makest ! Trishna breeds it ! Thine is the prison, and the gaoler thou ! The snake which poisons man his own heart feeds it ; Yet — if thou wilt — wake from this madness now, no LOTUS AND JEWEL. " Vanquish thy longings ! Come ! there is no sorrow Like Pleasure ; no delight like passions slain ! But if thou lust for life the stern To-morrow Will find thee lost in thy self-chosen gain, " As the grey crane dies by the dried-up lake Where she laid foolish eggs. Meditate Truth ! Enter the Noble Way ! Wise barter make For blest Nirvana with thy grace and youth ! " Then did Suvarna, with impatient hand, Tear from her neck the amber beads and gold ; Shook down her tresses from their jewelled band, And cut, and cast them from her ; wild and bold ; And meekly followed Buddh. Was that done well ? Ah, Love ! love is so lovely, who can say? I only know this life ! if Love be lit 11 Then Hate is Heaven ! Let us not go her way ! D. Diamonds! Now — womanlike — your eyes grow brighter Flashing the sparkle back of such fair things ; Hold both hands up ! I sent a demon-fighter To wrest these wonders from barbaric kings : Mash, almdsh, hira, hetih ! white, and blue, The flaming golden sort, the black, and pink ! Here be brave carcanets and cirques for you A-blaze with beams, cut sunlike ! Did you think Poets were poor ? Nay ! if our fancy choose To delve old Karth, down to her deepest treasures, Or spoil black-bearded Sultans, see ! the Muse Denies her children no such airy pleasures. And wise men wot Golconda's brilliant gem, Tried in the fire, turns black, mere common fuel. But these, my fairy stones, outvalue them, Time-proof and flame-proof! Here's a beauteous jewel ii2 LOTUS AND JEWEL. My minion brings — the " Syamantakan ; " Satrajita the King worshipped the Sun At dawning when his rosy course began, At evening when his golden road was run ; Eeciting holy Gayatri, and given To all high deeds, a pious Prince and tried ; Wherefore one morn — 'tis said — that Lord of Heaven, The Regent of the Sun, stood by his side ; Unclasped a crest-gem from his crown, and bound it On Prince Satrajita, bending in prayer, The folk of Dwaraka, much-wondering, found it At the King's throat, burning the dazzled air With beams of glory : and the influence shed From that enchanted stone caused rain to fall ; Averted serpents, pests ; quickened the dead ; Brought victories to the Realm, fortune to all If good men wore it ; but an evil one Died of it 3 Lustre. Oh, you laugh ! yet listen : Prasena, the King's brother, put it on And rode a-hunting with that gem a-glisten DIAMONDS. 113 Over his head-cloth ; and a Lion slew Horseman and horse ; but Jambaban the Bear Killed the strong beast, and took the spoil, and threw The sun-gem to his youngest cub to wear : For Krishna tracked their foot-prints ; pierced the wood ; Came to the cavern black, heard the Bear mother Say : " Sleep, my Babe ! now will our days be good ; This is the Sun's great Diamond, and none other ! " Slic, seeing Krishna, " Ahi ! alii ! " roared : Then Jambaban rushed forth, and waged fierce fight ; But lost the Sun-stone to its doughty Lord ; Who died a-bed, slain for that jewel bright. A wild, rude, Sanskrit story ! Yes ; but wrought With touches of old wisdom 'broidered in it ! Flash ' Syamantakan ' in light of thought And note this gleam : — white knowledge, if we win it, Is granted from One Source — for joy or dolour — To whomso hath it, Prince, or Man, or Beast, Yet, as each crystal by its inner colour Stains the pure beam enkindled from the East, 11 ii 4 LOTUS AND JEWEL. So shall the nature of each soul, endoubled By will on mind, dye fair or dark that ray. Oh, you may wear this Diamond, Dear ! untroubled ; Look ! on your neck it glitters clear as Day ! E. Emeralds ! The colour, Fanny ! of the light Sifted through lime-leaves on a summer-noon ; Or curl of crested wave, when foam-bells bright Fringe the green furrows of the sea in June. Such should true emeralds be ! green — it is said — As throat of parroquot ; or spark quick-twinkled From fire-fly's lamp ; or fresh unfolded blade Of water-grass ; or lotus-leaf unwrinkled New risen 'mid the pool, or glow which fringes The gleaming amethysts in the peacock's train : Sourindro Mohun holds " all Virtue hinges On tints like these, and, if there show a stain Yellowish or clouded, do not seek to heal Snake-bites with such, nor carve a love-name on them ! " But mine are ' Marakats ' whose hearts reveal Greener and greener glories as you con them ; u6 LOTUS AND JEWEL. A necklace for a queen ! Not that you need it ! One gem-mark was already on your neck Set by the Power who made us — as I read it — Your throat with one soft little foil to speck For contrast's sake : as lovely dames, who brightened With high-bred charms King Louis' court or Anne's, Laid on their damask cheeks patches which heightened The tender pink, just spied above their fans. Yet, be you heedful of this lucent jewel, Soft as the moon-ray seen through leaf-green waves By those sea-maids whose love, earnest but cruel, Draws down the sailor, dead, to their cold caves: For wise men write that, like as diamonds hidden Under the pillow of a sleeping bride, Will make her closed lips open, all-unbidden, To tell if ever any lips beside Touched their ripe crimson, so tin 1 Emerald's line — By reason that this is the stone of Faith — Reports when plighted lovers prove untrue. Ever so widely parted ! ^Iansoor saith : / MRRALDS. 117 It burgeons for true love, like sprays of henna ; But withers, at a broken vow to white, Or falls in tintless fragments. Avicenna Bade breathe upon it, at the morning light, And, if the One belov'd were false, a mist Would pass athwart its verdant lustre, telling Of oaths forsworn! When frail Zuleika kissed Yusuf, — her Lord, in Pharaoh's palace dwelling, Knew by his signet. Doubt you that was so ? Yet think how stones are built in Earth's abvsses ! What wonderful dark secrets Gnomes must know ! How they may hear men's whispers, sighs, and kisses, Living in gems — as Celsus held they live ! — When George the Third was throned, an emerald fell Out from his crown ; and, did the Fates forgive ? America was lost ! you know it well ! But still you smile — American by birth — Thinking that loss a gain ! Well, I'll be grave ! Esteem the emerald noblest stone of Earth When you shall hear the Queen of Sheba gave nS LOTUS AND JEWEL. An emerald vase to Suleiman the King, Cut from the mother-crystal — flawless, shining — By life-long labour. Oh, a perfect thing, Leek-green, playing to blue and gold ! Reclining Within his summer-tent Suleiman bade Amru his steward bear it to the Palace : At the first step which bearded Amru made Down sank he dead ! The precious carven chalice Had fall n, in ruined beauty ; but, a wretch — White with the third degree of leprosy — Begging against the gate, his arm did stretch, And caught the glowing cup, — and saved ! And, see ! Clean grew his flesh, again, as babe's new-born ! Then the King gave command Balkis the Queen, Be brought to audience on the morrow's morn ; And, awful-eyed, he told what deeds had been : I low tli is was dead, that healed. But she replied. Low-laughing; "King! It was not cut to give Into the hands of liars ! Amru died Touching the Gem of Truth ; thy slave will live EMERALDS. 119 " Henceforward whole, because whole was his mind! The mother-stone of this had virtues vast ; Only true lips must touch it! False will find Thy Eermon honey slay therein ! Twill casl " All ills from such as keep a sinless heart ! " Then quoth King Suleiman, "Which man is he, Save my poor Syrian who did bear the smart Of God's hard hand — yet love Him? Let him be " My Steward ! Let the dreadful Cup be laid Within the Temple of the Lord ! " So fell it To keeping of the Priests. When Cassar made Judasa a spoil, some Roman lord did sell it To one who kept that " furnished upper room " In whose sad walls the Master sate at meat With His disciples, 'ere the deed of doom, And the Last Supper's bread did meekly eat ; And the Last Supper's wine meekly did pour, Saying : " These be my Body and my Blood ! Do this in my remembrance ! " Ai that hour The emerald cup of Sheba 'twas which stood 120 LOTUS AND JEWEL. At Christ's right hand ; and in that cup did glisten The noblest wine which ever vine did shed ; Soothing with peace the souls of all who listen, Feeding the spirits of the quick and dead. Then the Crusaders won it ! Ninety fell Fighting round Godefroi for the beaker golden : That Cup which kissed the mouth of Christ — they tell- Was wet with gore ! A Paynim of the Soldan Lay, slain by twenty wounds, clutching the thing. The soldiers of the Cross freighted a ship — Proud Genoa's swiftest caravel — to bring The prize to Italy : and no man's lip Dared touch it, all those quiet centuries It lay in San Lorenzo. Next, it came To France, — or Spain, some tell : but he, who is Our Master, and the noblest English name Of living singers — holds (in Arthur's laj AriiiKithcean Joseph brought it here To Gbisloiibury, where the black-thorn spray Blossoms at Christmas, every mindful year ; EMERALDS. 121 Nay, that one saw it ! saw the glorious Grail 1 (Percival's Sister — pious, meek, a maid) Glide, with a sudden radiance, rosy, pale, Down a long silvery moon-path, through the shade : " Rosy," " rose-red "—he sings — " and, in it, beatings, As though alive," and music, heavenly-tender Better than we can blow or touch, with meetings Of tones celestial ; and a burning splendour Of Angels' feathers, fanning airs unfelt ; And crimson samite draped ; and stars which darted Hither and thither, leaving lines that melt I n sparkles on the Blue ; and dim shapes started Forth from the Void ! Yet, only three, — or two — Believed with Arthur ; he " who knew alway Himself no vision, and the high God knew No vision," nor Lord Christ. But still I say The Cup was Emerald, glassy-green ! I trow Where now it is, but dare not have it given ; Could even Galahad dare ? Could Arthur ? No ! Dear lips of Christ ! Rich wine, vintaged in Heaven ! L. Ligure ! the holy ' Leshem,' now I bring, Judasa's Gem, Jacynthus styled of old : Mark how the sunbeams flood with gold this thing, And how its dark heart stains th' imparted gold ! Jacynth, the stone which has a sister-flower ; The jewel wine-red, and the blossom, too : These both were snow-white once, until the hour When God Apollo Hyacinthus slew. Ever since then ac, at is on the blossom And at, at writ upon the stone as well ; And the life-blood from the Greek boy's hurt bosom Mars both with blackness, — so old legends tell. Ligures they wore, set in an iron torque At Rome, on midnights, laying L^mures Wlitu May's Ides came. I'm- thru the Ghosts did walk ; Then were tin' Lemuralia. All the trees JACYNTHS. 123 Drowsed in the Court ; streets sleeping still — no sound ! Save if an owl screeched, or a town-dog bayed Seeing the sheeted Shades pass o'er the ground Tip-toe, a-glide, with eyes which made afraid. But he would steal — the House-master — barefoot, Softly, not speaking an}' word for dread ; Yet snapping oft his fingers, if some root Of vine or fig tripped him, like some one dead At devilish tricks. But, when — all mute — he came Safe to the fountain, there he laved his face, And hands ; and rubbed the Ligure, whispering name Of every restless Lar haunting the place. Next in his mouth he put the nine beans black, But must not glance behind, turning to go ; While, one by one, he Hung them o'er his back, Muttering " his fabis meaw redimo Domumf" "With these black beans I buy content." Ite, patemi Manes ! " Good Souls, quit ! " Then, nine times beat a sheet of brass, and sent The Ghosts to Hades, where their fellows flit. 124 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Poor Ghosts ! Love would not fear ! Love dreads not death, Nor doom, nor darkness ! See this Jacvnth brought From Hedjaz ! On its gold a verse which saith " With thee was well, Beloved ! " — and, inwrought The Cross of Christ with Islam's crescent moon ! . . . A Christian maiden loved a Muslim youth, And he loved her ; oh, heart and soul, Majniin Loved Mariam the Nazarene. In sooth One look wrought all ! Young Majnun did repair Mosque-wards to pray ; the loud-voiced Muazan Stood white against the blue ; in either ear Pressing his thumb, and crying, " Ash'had~do-an La-iUalil-hd-hi-ho 1 " " Ye Faithful ! know There is no God but God ! " Hya ul-as-salaat " Quicken your steps to pray ! " As-sal-la-to Khyrun min an-ncmm, "Better, Believers! that Vc pray than sleep! " 5 This cry was in his ears, The faith of Allah in his heart firm kept; When Mniiain passed — and glanced : and lo ! the years Found their crowned instant: Love, full-plunied, up Leapt ! JACYNTIIS. 12 Beautiful was she as upon its stalk The tulip newly nodding ; heavenly-sweet The music of her voice ; when she did walk The glad grass seemed to kiss her light fine feet ! Face, form, as 'twere a Houri in the house ; Eyes so divinely lustrous that their splendour Filled every heart with worship ; and her brows Drawn like black bows over the eyelids tender, And shadowy lashes ; and her teeth of pearl Between the rose-leaf lips ; and rounded arms, And high white bosoms ! Such a Christian Girl The Prophet had forgotten for her charms Amina and Khadidja ! So they loved, Body and soul and blood blended to one In burning passion ; and this passion proved Sorrow, as always. Majiuin was Said's son Sheykh of the Gate, a hot Believer : she Sole child of Nicolas the Merchant. Never Dared they to meet if night's complicity Veiled not their trembling joys. Cruel ones ever 126 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Watched them, incensed an Infidel's pale face Should draw an Islamite with Sorcery ; Incensed a Maid of Christ should yield her place 'Mid saints, a Muslim's Light o' Love to be. / But, through the jealous lattice of her bower Sometimes he took the comfort of her eyes And by the lute's low voice, or some dropped flower Knew it was well with her, or otherwise. For many waters shall not overflow, Nor sharpened daggers daunt, nor angry faces Affright, nor bitter doctrines check, nor woe Change a true love, which in the holy places Kneels nearest God. Yet, on our little star Purged must it be by Sorrow's fellowship ; And pale the visages of lovers are "Willi earthly griefs, when happy lip meets lip In those Elysian meads where Death is dead. So, on this parted pair, and on their city Pel] evil times; the Plague, with footstep- red Strode through the Land, slaying — sans pause or pity— JACYNTIIS. 127 Wife, husband, youth and age. A strong man stood One moment whole, — the next, there crept a thrill, Like the cold breath of Azrael, through his blood ; His eyes dimmed, breath came quick, body grew chill ; Spasms rent his frame ; his poisoned flesh waxed white With blotches ; soon he sank in mortal pain ; Save where, after deep trance, Nature's kind might Flung the taint forth : — then quick he rose again. Thus, on the self-same day, the Pestilence Smote these fair lovers, fated bitterly. Sighed Majnun, 'mid his friends : " Now go I hence, Never again my Lady's face to see ! " Never again in this world ! Nay — and worse ! Never in that beyond ; for she will be Where Christians are. Sing not another verse Of the Death-Sura ! Pray no prayers for me " To Allah ! If a Mussulman I die I shall gain Paradise, but not with her ; Christ ! take me where she goes ! Lord Isa, I Am Nazarene, as Mariam ! " The stir 128 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Of Mollahs rending robes, and curses bitter Of angry kin, bis earnest accents drown ; In a waste place tbe bearers of bis litter Unburied flung tbat outcast's body down. But wbile for Mariam's sake Majnun foreswore Friends, Faitb, and Paradise, bis lady lay Sick as to death — not knowing how thev bore Her chosen forth — and all that piteous day " Majnun ! " she sighed, " Oh, Majnun, Pearl of Lovers ! Death cometh, and we shall not meet again ! Nevermore, my Soul's Life ! the black grave covers Thy poor white Dove, whose feathers thou wert fain " Ofttimes to smooth and kiss ; and, — woe is me ! — Whither I go there canst thou never come ; For thou art of the Prophet's tribes; and we Another people, with another home " Beyond this world. But, see now, Jesu tender ! In all thy Father's Houses which would give Rest to my soul? what untold joy and splendour Could comfort Murium, if she might not live JACYNTHS. 129 " Forever, and forever, and forever With Majnun, be that Heaven, or be it Hell ? If lie may come where Thou art never — never — Oh, Christ, my Lord ! then let me go to dwell " In what place for his peace Allah is keeping ! " And those around her bed chided the Maid, Deeming she raved ; but dreamlike, as if sleeping, Soft went she on, and this in whispers said : " Dear God, forgive ! if pardon for such sin Hath been or can be ; still, I cannot take A path beyond the tomb he walks not in, A heaven he will not share. Therefore, I make " Sad choice, but settled : — letting go Thy love Ah, gentle Christ ! lest I lose his, and sit Amid Thine angels in the bliss above Winning Thy blessed peace, and hating it " For lack of Majnun. Is it Heaven's command None shall attain it, save at thy fair feet? Then he will not attain ! But I must stand Beside Majnun before the judgment-seat ! 130 LOTUS AND JEWEL. " Oh, any Death save parting ! any doom Except what sunders us ! Forgive, dread Lord ! Friends, is it evening ? round me swims the room ! Listen ! bury sad Mariam in the yard " Where lie the Muslims of our quarter. Yea ! I bid ye list — I, who was Nazarene All my true maiden years, die here to-day A Mussulman! ! What his faith hath been " That same is mine ! hear me ! I testify There is no God but Allah, and " They smote The little trembling lips, and drove that cry Of tender heresy back in her throat, Whose milky beauty throbbed — and hushed. And, then, Scorning the renegade, they tore the Cross From her cold breast, and bade the " bearing-men " In that waste spot her shamed body toss Where Majnun's lay. So, thus it was beheld. When Hie Moon rose upon the dismal plain, The jackals, prowling 'mid the corpses, yelled And fled, to see a dead man rise again; JACYNTHS. 131 For Majnun rose, healed by his trance ; and spied Death-pale, yet breathing, moving, beautiful, Mariam his lady, Mariam at his side ; Mariana ! and life not finished ! — Dutiful With tenderest lips he touched her face, her head ; Warmed with his breast her bosom ; chafed her feet Full-softly, like two fair white birds, half-dead ; And spake her name, murmuring such love-words sweet That through the numbed sense to the drowsy heart Stole their awakening music, and she lifted Her silken lids, — and gazed — and with glad start Flew to his neck. Oh, when were lovers gifted With such a splendid moment ? For some space Hung they together, feeding life with kisses, — Each kiss a cordial — then they left that place With faint rejoicing steps. And what long blisses Were theirs for many years verse cannot tell. Dear ! do you like my Jacynth for its story ? Yet, where, at Death, those loving souls did dwell Who knows ? God's many names may have one glory ! A. " WHAT ! A gold coin amid these jewelled treasures ! Why send me such a relic ? " — so you say — " Good to enhance some antiquary's pleasures ; Stamped for dead people, in a buried day ! " True, now, but look a little ! If one ponder The legend of this piece, its gold may shine With lustre leaving dull the gems of wonder Which I did lay in those dear hands of thine. An Aureus of the Roman Empire — see ! And, on its face, in plain imperial IHUts, MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS— He Was Master of our earth. Home's iron fetters, Linked over lands and seas, were held by him, The awful purple of the Cassars wearing; Ami triumph-crowned ! for, mark, along the rim DEVICTIS MAUCOMANN1S. lie was bear: AN AUREUS. 133 That year Pannonian laurels (one — six — eight — In era of our Lord). Gaze on the face Pictured from one most noble, wise, and great, First of his age, and foremost of his race. Consider ! Pious souls have been, but he Feared Heaven, worshipped himself! And just have been ; But he, higher than Law, bowed down to be Law's officer ! Well-taught, in books deep-seen, Daily he sate at school ! Master of war, Bloodshed he stayed ; pitied his vanquished foes ; Pardoned his haters ! Set far off, a Star Of sovereignty, he ranked himself with those Born to serve Man ! Enriched with all the East, With all the West ; Lord of the wealth of Home ; He lay on earth, drank from the stream, made feast Of fruits and roots ! Yet, to rear porch and dome Stately at Athens, splendid on old Nile ; To dower learning, scatter truth, spread good ; To help the thoughts which help mankind meanwhile, For those he poured his sesterces in flood ! 13 4 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Majestic, melancholy, lofty, mild ; Holier than saints, than sages more enrapt ; One hour listening to Fronto like a child, The next, in royal paludamentum lapped Governing the world ! Ah, measure what a man ! White in an age dark and unbeautiful : Highest, yet humblest : since the kings began No heart so kingly, large, and dutiful. Regard him ! does my Emperor pleasure you ? Being but a man I only know that here — If we shall set apart some three or two — The flower of humankind blooms bright and dear. This is the best we are ! " Verissimus " Hadrian did style him ! When the Senate named Marcus sole Caesar, spake he : " Seat with us My Lucius Verus also ; I were blamed " Keeping no place upon his Father's throne Whose Father loved me." When the eagles fled Before the Marcomanni, he alone — Loathing red war — the reeling legions led AN AUREUS. 135 To victory. At his life — too pure to please — Avidius Cassius aimed, joining foul hands "With Caesar's beauteous Empress : foiling these The loving peoples and the loyal bands Slew that arch rebel, sent his severed head A tribute to the Court ; but Marcus sighed Seeing the bloody gift ; and, musing, said : " Happier I were to pardon ! " when he spied The accusing list, setting in deadly row Names of the plotters, royally he rends The scroll to shreds ; quoth he : " Let me not know Mine enemies, till I have made them friends ! " And as he lived, so died he ; grand and meek. Maintaining Antonine's sublimity, Who, for last watchword, hardly strong to speak, Gave the centurion " Equanimity." Hear Marcus teach: ' : If thou with Cods wouldVt dwell, Keep a contented mind; follow that guide Whom Jove hath lodged within thy breast to tell His will, and lead thee to the better side. i 3 6 LOTUS AND JEWEL. " Either the Universe is Chaos, Chance ; Or else the Universe is Order, Law ; If that — die ! and let pass the drunken dance ; If this — live and rejoice, in Love and Awe. " Offer that inner rule of Heaven's high Lord A strong soul ripened by the life below ; A soldier at his post waiting the word ; A heart too grateful to be loath to go. " All which befitteth thee, befitteth me, Thou Scheme of God ! What to thee cometh right To me comes right : if life or death it be So let it be ; good is it in my sight, " If good in Jove's ! Oh Mother Earth ! I take My rest with thee, right gladly lying down ; What! shall the poets praise Athens, and make Songs to the City of the Violet Crown, "And none praise Jove's great City, where we spent Our span of years? Twas sweet therein to dwell; Yet being bid to quit, go well content! N<> tyrant orders; no harsh laws compel ! AN AUREUS. 137 " Who opened thee the City-gates, now closes ; Who named thee freeman, sends thee off the wall : Depart obedient ! Is there one supposes The Ruler of the Rulers knows not all ? " Depart submissive, glad ! Die unrepining ! There is a Greater guardeth thee than thou, Dearer than to thyself thy life's combining Was to the Cosmos ; death is better now ! " Was he not perfect ? Will you scorn to wear His aureus 'mid the gems ? Yet lurking wonders Perplex male minds, studying your strange sex, Dear ! Tor gazing on his countenance one ponders That grudge Faustina bore him. She — his wife — Sharing the Purple, Lady of his glory, Stained the imperial honours of his life With shameful passions. Nay, I spare the story! They knew it — to the lowest Roman slave: Living he would not punish ; dead he made her Obsequies splendid ; stateliest mourning gave, And in a glorious milk-white tomb he laid her. 138 LOTUS AND JEWEL. Ah, you will wear! You sternly judge Faustine ! Yet one point more : — his sword he whetted sharp, To smite the followers of the Nazarene ; Hated the Christians, and burned Polycarp — For Rome's great sake ! You lay it by again ! But, this — at best — we are ; doubtless, 'tis pity He could not love our gentle Christ, nor win One woman's breast. Still, when he died, his City Voted him God; and every citizen Bought bronzes of him, built them shrines at home ; Made him their household Lar, their Man of men ; Faustina's fool, Christ's foe, crowned saint of Home ! I. See now ! an Ivory Casket for your treasures. Cut from a tusk some lord of Elephants Yielded, besieged amid his forest- j)leasures, By circling foes. The creamy surface vaunts Turquoise, in blue stars set, with Iolite, That violet-tinted gem which somewhile hides In Indian hills. Azures and purples bright Play daintily across its sparkling sides ! And, look ! the Casket bears so rich a labour Of chiselled work, and stones, it may have been By day the white delight, at night the neighbour Of the soft slumbers of some Hindoo Queen. It may be wrought — who knows ? of ivory Taken from tooth of Raja Megh Koomar. A famous Prince of Magadlia was he, Gentle in peace, and generous in war, i4o LOTUS AND JEWEL. An elephant, in his last life but one, — Tis the Jain story — for a woodland- fire Brake forth, consuming trees and grass. Undone The forest-creatures died. Wider and hio-her The red tongues raged ; whereat this kingly beast Betook himself for flight ; when — from the reeds — A striped bush-mouse, of all things last and least, Leaped forth, and ran between his feet, and pleads To Eaja Megh : " Ahi ! great Prince ! permit I take asylum from this dreadful flame Betwixt thy mighty legs ! " Megh looked on it : " Small art thou ! " quotha "yet is life the same " Brother ! for thee as me. Stay where thou art ! I never spurned aught living, uor shall now ; Sit close and fear not ; I will not depart ! " Therewith he faced the fire, wielding a bough Of thick-leaved Sal, to beat the heat away ; Which curled and hissed, and scorched, blistering one limb And all his length of trunk, so sore — they say — .M - -_rli died ere night; but saved the mouse. And him IOLITE AND IVORY. 141 In the next life the just Gods made a king. Mark, too, your casket's milky sides, how full Of imagery ! Here's a subtle thing — A banyan-tree, whereat, with steadfast pull, Toils a tusked Elephant to lay it low; And 'mongst the dropping branches two which bear A long-tailed clinging monkey, feeding so On the red figs, he has no eyes to fear Those two rats, one so black, and one so white, Which nibble at the branches : but beneath A pit gapes, where you see the lurid light Of snake-shapes twisting, and grim signs of death. Shall I interpret ? Life's the banyan tree ; Which Death, the elephant, in dust would lay ; And the poor foolish ape is Man; and, see! This black rat is the Night, the white the Day. Which ever gnaw, in turn, at life's thin branches Whereto man clings; till, blind with sense and sin. Fat with world's figs, down rolls he to those trenches Dug by Death's feet, with serpents hid therein. 142 LOTUS AND JEWEL. But here's a fairer legend carved ! A balance Wherein they weigh a Prince against a Dove ; An Eagle looking on ! the Eagle's talons Bloody j the Prince's face alight with love ! Shall I interpret ? Kaja Sagaras This is ; for kindly heart of large renown : One morning, when in full Divan he was, A white dove through the lattice fluttered down, Her silver plumage pink with blood, and ruffled ; And, following on fierce wings, an Eagle. She, Nigh dead with fear, her fainting pinions muffled In the King's breast-cloth, seeking sanctuary Close to his heart. Then screamed the cruel bird " Give mo my prey, just King ! " But Sagaras Fondling the Dove, said : " Never is it heard A prince repelled his suppliant ! " Hot as brass Glared the great Eagle's eyes while it did cry : " I conjure thee by justice ! She is mine ! We enlv? Secret. " Sometimes," sighed Lalage : " in hours of sadness, A sudden pleasure shines upon the soul, The heart beats quick to half-heard notes of gladness, And from the dark mind all its clouds unroll : How is this, Poet ? You, who know things hidden, Whence sounds that under-song of soft content ? What brings such peace, unlooked-for and unbidden ? Say, now ! Oh, is it truth or accident ? " " Dear Maid ! " I said, " wisely you ask a poet, For there's my answer, on your upper lip ! The Talmud writes : that dimple — as you show it — Between the rosy mouth and nose's tip, Was stamped by God's own hand, the day He made us, When unto each He whispered "All goeth well ! " But pressed His finger on our lips, and laid us Under His secret not to know — nor tell ! an HDicu. India farewell ! I .shall not see again Thy shining shores, thy peoples of the Sun, Gentle, soft-mannered, by a kind word won To such quick kindness ! O'er the Arab main Our Hying flag streams back ; and backwards stream My thoughts to those fair open fields I love, City and village, maidan, jungle, grove, The temples and the rivers ! Must it seem Too great for one man's heart to say it holds So many many Indian sisters dear, So many Indian brothers ? that it folds Lakhs of true friends in parting ? Nay ! but there Lingers my heart, leave-taking ; and it roves From hut to hut whispering " he knows, and loves ! " Good-bye ! Good-night ! Sweet may your slumbers be, Gunga ! and Kasi ! and Saraswati! March 5, 1886, S.S. Six in. XTbe Enfcfan Sitooe. A cloud was on tlie Judge's brow The day we walked in Aitwar-Pet ; I knew not then, but since I know What held his earnest features set : That great cause in the Suddur Court ! To-morrow judgment should be given; And, in my old friend's troubled thought Conscience with prejudice had striven. Nay, nay ! No juster Judge on bench ! But Justice in this cause of " Wheatstone's," Was hard to do. I could not wrench His sombre eyes from Poona's street-stones. Silent we threaded Moti-chouk, Paced silent past the Dkarma-sala ; At last, half petulant, I spoke ; " Here is our Sanskrit School — Pat-shula ! " THE INDIAN JUDGE. 17; " See ! listening to their grey Gurn The Brahman boys read Hindu cases ; Justinian and the Code for you, Manu for them ! AY hat solemn faces " Range, in dark ring, around the book Wherefrom the old Acharya preaches ! " He paused, and, with a wistful look, Said : " IMicrht one know what Manu teaches? o So drew we nigh the School, and paid Due salutations; while the Master — Proud to be marked by Sahebs — made The strong shlokes roll, fuller and faster " Na vismayeta tapasd Vadcdishtica cha lutnritan Na parildrttay it datwd NarttH pyajjavaded vipran." " Namutrcb hi sah&yartha/m Pita mata cha tishtatas Na jnatir na putrad&vam Tishtati dharma Mvalas" 1 76 OTHER POEMS. All down to kasaririnam Gravely the Shastri chants the verses, Rocking his head ; while, after him, The turbaned class each line rehearses. " What is the lesson ? " asked my friend, With low salaam, reply was given : " Manu's Fourth Chapter — near the end — At shloke two hundred thirty-seven." Then, turning to the brightest-eyed Of those brown pupils round him seated, " Gunput," the Shastri said, with pride, " If it shall please my Lords, can read it." We nodded ; and the Brahman lad — At such great charge shy, but delighted — In what soft English speech he had The Devauagiri recited : " Be not too proud of good deeds wrought ! — When thou art come from prayer, speak truly !- liven if he wrongeth thee in aught Respect thy Guru ! Give alms duly ; THE INDIAN JUDGE. 177 "But let none wist! Live, day by day, With little and with Little swelliii"- Thy tale of duly done — the way The wise ant-people build their dwelling ; "Not harming any living thing: That thou may'st have — at time of dying, — A Hand to hold thee, and to bring Thy footsteps safe ; and, so relying, " Pass to the farther world. For none Save Justice leads there ! Father, mother, Will not be nigh ; nor wife, nor son, Nor friends, nor kin ; nor any other " Save only Justice ! All alone Each entereth here, and each one leaveth This life alone ; and every one The fruit of all his deeds receivelh " Alone — alone ; bad deeds and good ! That day when kinsmen, sadly turning, Forsake thee, like the clay or wood, A thing committed to the burning. M 178 OTHER POEMS. " But Justice shall not quit thee then, If thou hast served her ; therefore never Cease serving ; that she hold thee, when The darkness falls which falls forever, " Which hath no star, nor way to guide. But Justice knows the road ; the midnight Is noon to her. Man at her side Goes through the gloom safe to the hid light. " And he who loved her more than all, Who purged by sorrow his offences, Shall shine in realms celestial With glory, quit of sins and senses." • •••••. What made my friend so softly lay His hand on Gunput's naked shoulder With gentle words of praise, and say, — His eyes grown happier and bolder,— " I too have been at school ! Accept Thanks, Guru! forthese words imparted"? And when we turned away he kept Silence do more, bul smiled, Light-Hearted. JEANNE. 179 Ami, next day, in his Indian Court, That summing-up he did declaim us — Straight in the teeth of what was thought — Which made "His Honour" feared and famous. Jeanne. (From Victor Hugo.) JEANNE, in the dark room, had dry broad for dinner, Guilty of something wrong ; and I — the sinner — Crept up to see that prisoner in her cell, And slipped — on the sly — some comfits to her. Well ! Against the laws, I own ! Those, who with me Support the order of society, Were furious ! Vainly murmured little Jeanne, " Indeed, indeed, I never will again Rub my nose with my thumb ! I won't make pussy Scratch me ! " they only cried, " The naughty hussy ! She knows how weak you are, and wanting sense, And sees you only laugh at grave offence : !8o OTHER POEMS. Government is not possible ! All clay Order is troubled, influence slips away, No rules, no regulations ! nought can mend her ; You ruin everything ! " Then I — the offender — I hang my head, and say, " There's no excuse ! I know I err ; I know by such abuse, Such wrong indulgence, nations ' go to pot ; ' Put me upon dry bread ! " " Why should we not ? We will ! you merit it ! " But my small maid From her dark corner looking unafraid With eyes divine to see, full of a sense Of settled justice, in their innocence, Whispered, for me to hear, " Well, if they do, I shall bring comfits, Grandpapa, to you." H IRajput Burse. " Whose tomb Lave they builded, Vittoo ! under this tamarind tree, With its door of the rose-veined marble, and white dome stately to see, Was he holy Brahman, or Yogi, or Chief of the Rajput line, "Whose urn rests here by the river, in the shade of the beautiful shrine ? " " May it please you," quoth Vittoo, salaaming, " Protector of all the poor ! It was not for holy Brahman they carved that delicate door ; Nor for Yogi, nor Rajput Rana, built they this gem of our land ; But to tell of a Rajput woman, as long as the stones should stand. 1 82 OTHER POEMS. " Her name was Moti, the pearl-name ; 'twas far in the ancient times ; But her moon-like face and her teeth of pearl are sung of still in our rhymes ; And because she was young, and comely, and of good repute, and had laid A babe in the arms of her husband,* the Palace-Nurse she was made : " For the sweet chief-queen of the Rana in Joudhporo city had died, Leaving a motherless infant, the heir to that race of pride ; The heir of the peacock-banner, of the five-coloured flag, of the throne Which traces its record of glory from days when it ruled alone ; " From times when, forth from the sunlight,t the first of our kings came down And had the earth for his footstool, and wore the stars for his crown, * A Hindu father acknov ledgi s paternity by receiving in hi.-* arms his new-horn child. + The Rajput dynasty is said to he descended from the sun. A RAJPUT NURSE. 183 As all good Rajputs have told us; so Mdti was proud and true, With the Priuce of the land on her bosom, and her own brown baby too. "And the Rajput women will have it (I know not myself of these things) As the two babes lay on her lap there, her lord's, and the Joudhpore King's ; So loyal was the blood of her body, so fast the faith of her heart, It passed to her new-born infant, who took of her trust its part. " He would not suck of the breast-milk till the Prince had drunken his till ; He would not sleep to the cradle-song till the Prince was lulled and still ; And he lay at night with his small arms clasped round the liana's child, As if those hands like the rose-leaf could shelter from treason wild. 1 84 OTHER POEMS. " For treason was wild in the country, and villainous men had sought The life of the heir of the gadi,* to the Palace in secret brought ; With bribes to the base, and with knife-thrusts for the faithful, they made their way Through the line of the guards, and the gateways, to the hall where the women lay. " There Moti, the foster-mother, sate singing the children to rest Her baby at play on her crossed knees, and the King's son held to her breast ; And the dark slave-maidens round her beat low on the cymbal's skin Keeping the time of her soft song — when — Saheb ! — there hurried in " A breathless watcher, who whispered, with horror in eyes and face : 'Oli! M6ti! men come to murder my Lord the Prince in this place ! * The "seat" or throne. A RAJPUT NURSE. 1S5 They have bought the help of the gate-guards, or slaughtered them unawares, Hark ! that is the noise of their tulwars,* the clatter upon the stairs ! ' " For one breath she caught her baby from her lap to her heart, and let The King's child sink from her nipple, with lips still clinging and wet, Then tore from the Prince his head-cloth, and the putta of pearls from his waist, And bound the belt on her infant, and the cap on his brows, in haste ; " And laid her own dear offspring, her flesh and blood, on the floor, With the girdle of pearls around him, and the cap that the King's son wore ; While close to her heart, which was breaking, she folded the Raja's joy, And — even as the murderers lifted the purdah — she fled with his boy. * Indian swords, 1 86 OTHER POEMS. " But there (so they deemed) in his jewels, lay the Chota Rana,""~ the Heir ; ' The cow with two calves has escaped us,' cried one, ' it is right and fair She should save her own butcha ; f no matter ! the edge of the dacrcjer ends DO This spark of Lord Raghoba's sunlight ; stab thrice and four times, friends ! ' " And the Rajput women will have it (I know not if this can be so) That Muti's son in the putta and golden cap cooed low, When the sharp blades met in his small heart, with never one moan or wince, But died with a babe's light laughter, because he died for his Prince. ''Thereby did that Rajput mother preserve the line of our Kings." " Oh ! Vittoo," I said, " but they gave her much gold and beautiful things, * "Little King." f " Little one." A RAJPUT NURSE. 187 And garments, and land for her people, and a home in the Palace ! May be She had grown to love that Princeling even more than the child on her knee." " A [ay it please the Presence ! " quoth Vittoo, " it seemeth not so ! they gave The gold and the garments and jewels, as much as the proudest would have ; But the same night deep in her true heart she buried a knife, and smiled, Saying this : ' I have saved my Rana ! I must go to suckle my child ! ' " Zanouba's Scmo. From the Persian : [Heard at a Newtek, in Bhaonagar Palace, Nov. 18S5]. " face of the tulip, and bosom Of the jasmine, whose Cypress are you? Whose fate are you, cold-hearted Blossom ? — In the Garden of Grace, where you grew, The lily boasts no more her fragrance, And the rose hangs her head at your feet; Ah ! whose is that mouth like the rose-bud, Making honey seem no longer sweet ? " You pass, taking hearts ; you ensnare one Like wine ; and your eyes dart a liglit As of arrows. Whoso an' you, most fair one! With brow like the crescent of night ? Have you come to make me, too, your victim ? So be it ! Ah, loveliest lip, Give now to this slave who adores you One drop from that death-cup to sip." XTbc Snafte ant) tbc 38ab£. "In sin conceived," you tell us, " condemned for the guilt of birth," From the moment when, lads and lasses, they come to this beautiful Earth ; And the rose-leaf hands, and the limpid eyes, and the blossom-mouths, learning to kiss Mean nothing, my good Lord Bishop ! which, any way, shakos you in this ? Well, I — I believe in babies ! from the dawn of a day in spring When, under the neems, in my garden, I saw a notable thing, Long ago, in my Indian garden. 'Twas a morning of gold and grey, And the Sun — as you never see him — had melted the last stars away. igo OTHER POEMS. My Arab, before the house-door, stood stamping the gravel to go, All wild for our early gallop ; and you heard the caw of the crow, And the " nine little sisters " a-twitter in the thorn-bush ; and, farther away The coppersmith's stroke in the fig-tree, awaking the squirrels to play. My foot was raised to the stirrup, and the bridle gathered. What made Syce Gopal stare straight before him, with visage fixed and dismayed ? "What made him whisper in terror ? " Shiva, the snake ! the snake ! " I looked where Gopal was gazing, and felt my own heart quake ! For there — in a patch of sunlight — where the path to the well went down, The year-old baby of Gopal, sate naked, and soft, and brown, Hi- small i-I L-fl i i hand encircling a lota of brass, his left < 'In e-cuddling a great black cobra, slow-creeping forth from a clefi ! THE SNAKE AND THE DA BY. 191 We held our breaths! The serpent drew clear its lingering tail As we gazed ; you could see its dark folds and silvery- belly trail Tinkling the baby's bangles, and climbing his thigh and his breast, As it glided beneath the fingers on those cold scales fearlessly pressed. He was crowing — that dauntless baby ! — while the lank black Terror squeezed, Its muzzle and throat 'twixt the small flank and arm of the boy ! Well pleased, He was hard at play with his serpent, pretending to guard the milk, And stroking that grewsome comrade with palms of nut, brown silk ! Alone, untended, and helpless, he was cooing low to the snake ; Which coiled and clung about him, even more (as it seemed) for the sake 192 OTHER POEMS. Of the touch of his velvety body, and the love of his laughing eyes, And the flowery clasp of his fingers, than to make the milk a prize. For, up to the boy's face mounting, we saw the cobra clip His wicked head in the lota, and drink with him, sip for sip; "Whereat, with a chuckle, that baby pushed off the serpent's head, And — look ! — the red jaws opened, and the terrible hood was spread ! And Gopal muttered beside me " Sahcb, maro ! maw ! " * to see The forked tongue glance at the infant's neck, and the spectacled devilry Of the flat crest dancing and darting all round that innocent brow ; Yet it struck not ; but, quietly closing its jaws and its hood, laid now "5 * "Strike, Bir! .strike !" THE SNAKE AND THE BABY 19: The horrible mottled murder of its mouth in the tei chink Of the baby's plump crossed tkighlets; while peacefully he did drink What breakfast-milk he wanted, then held the lota down For the snake to finish at leisure, plunged deep in it, fangr a n d crown. o Three times, before they parted, my Syce would have sprung to the place, In fury to smite the serpent ; but I held him fast, for one pace Ead been death to the boy ! I knew it ! and I whispered, " Gopal, wait ! " Chooprao ! * he is wiser than we are ; he has never yet learned to hate ! " Then coil by coil, the cobra unwound its glistering bands, Sliding— all harmless and friendly — from under the baby's hands ; Who crowed, as his comrade left him, in rear-old language to say " Good-bye ! for this morning. Serpent ! come very soon back to play ! " * Be quiet ! " • N 194 OTHER POEMS. So, I thought, as I mounted ' ; Wurdah," and galloped the Maidan thrice, : ' Millennium's due to-morrow, by ' baby and cockatrice ' ! " And I never can now believe it, my Lord ! that we come to this Earth Ready- damned, with the seeds of evil sown quite so thick at our birth ! tfvom a Sifch 1bv?mn. " The beautiful blue of the Sky is the Guru of Man ; And his Father the Water white; And his Mother the broad-browed Earth, with her bountiful span ; And the sweet-bosomed Night Is the blaclc Nurse who lulls him to sleep, with the stars in her ears ; And llic strong si riding-Day bhe Eamal, with glittering turban and putta, who be: The children to plaj ." H jf arc well. (From the French. ) To four-score years my years have come ; At such an age to shuffle home Full time it seems to be So now, without regret, I go, Gaily my packing-up I do ; Bonsoir, la Compagnie ! When no more in this world I dwell Where I shall live I can't quite tell ; Dear God ! be that with Thee ! Thou wilt ordain nothing save right, Why should I feel then grief or fright ? Bonsoir, la Compagnio ! Of pleasant days I had my share ; For love and fame no more I care ; Good sooth, they weary mo! A gentleman, when fit for nought, Takes leave politely, as ho ought : Bonsoir, la Compagnie ! H Xove^Sono of Ifoenri diuatre. Come, rosy Day ! Come quick — I pray — I am so glad when I thee see ! Because my Fair, Who is so dear, Is rosy-red and white like thee. She lives, I think On heavenly drink Dawn-dew, which Hebe pours for her ; Else — when I sip At her soft lip How smells it of ambrosia ? She is so fair None can compare ; And, oh, her slender waist divine ! Her sparkling eyes Set in the skies The morning star would far outshine ! A LOVE-SONG OF HENRI QUATRE. 197 Only to hear Her voice so clear The village gathers in the street ; And Tityrus, Grown one of us, Leaves piping on his flute so sweet. The Graces three, Where'er she be, Call all the Loves to flutter nigh ; And what she'll sav, — Speak when she may, — Is full of sense and majesty ! tfrom tbe Sanskrit HntfooloGp. Ah, God ! I have not had Thee day and night In thought, nor magnified Thy name aright, Nor lauded Thee, nor glorified, nor laid Upon thine altars one poor kusa-blade ! Yet now, when I seek refuge, Lord ! with Thee I ask, and Thou wilt give all good to me ! I am of sinfulness and sorrow s full ! Thou art the Mighty, Great, and Merciful ! How should we not be friends, or Thou not save Me who bring nought to Thee Who all things gave ? JBasti Stnob's Mite. (.1 Bihari Mill Song.) i. Basti Singh's wife, shredding betel — lid. 1-leaf, and cloves. and spices — Mixed a savoury mess, and made it rich and fragrant ; — Huriji ! Husking paddy, husking suthi,* boiled and strained the steaming rices, I'oured the dall and conjee on it: so, 'tis ready! — Hukiji ! 2. "Mother-in-law! beside me sitting, is it fitting f if I carry To my husband's elder brother food to eat now ? " — Huriji ! * " Sixty-day rice." t A Hindoo wife may converse unveiled and fieely with the younger brothers of her husband, but not with the elder brothers. 200 OTHER POEMS. " Daughter-in-law ! fold close thy sari over face and neck, nor tarry ; Bare thy hands alone in serving Basti's brother." — Huriji ! 3- Sitting down to eat, he marked her, Basti's brother marked her beauty, Evil eyes from feet to forehead wandering, pondering, — Huriji ! " Elder brother of my husband ! I have surely failed of duty ; Too much salt unto the conjee have I added ? " — Huriji ! 4- " Too much salt thou hast not added, fair wife of my younger brother ! Nor in aught hast failed of duty, thou with dove's eyes ! " — Huriji ! At the dawn they beat the big drums — " Ho ! let all the people gather. Small and great, to see the hunting of the sleek deer" — Huriji ! BAST I SINGH'S WIFE. 201 5. Deer they killed, and Lares, and peacocks, shooting hard wilh arrows sharpened, Basti's brother pierced his brother with an arrow; — Hukiji ! • ••••■ " Mother-in-law, beside me seated, what calamity hath happened ? " See ! the spangle * on my forehead to the earth falls ! " — Huhui ! 6. "Daughter-in-law! say no such evil ! speak no word of ill-betiding ! Basti Singh has gone a-hunting ; have thou patience ! " — Hurui ! • •••••• Hark ! the tramping, and the champing ! all the riders homewards riding ! Only Basti's horse returning riderless, ah ! — H.UBIJI ! 7- Look ! the bright swords in each scabbard ! Look ! the arrows in each quiver ! * The tikuli, a spot of red, white, or yellow paint placed on the forehead. H is a very had omen to have it come off. 202 OTHER POEMS. Only Basti's sword and quiver soaked with black blood ! — Huriji ! At the first watch, comes in darkness to her hut-door by the river Basti's elder brother knocking, softly knocking : — Huriji ! 8. " If you be a jackal prowling, if you be a dog at pillage, If you be the village people, get you hence now ! " — Huriji ! " Nay, no dog or jackal am I ; nor the people of the village ; I am Basti Singh the Ivajpoot ; fair wife open ! " — Huriji ! 9- " Liar ! that is not my Lord's voice ! Thou hast slain him ! Quick ! confess it ! Where, thou liar ? how, thou liar ? by what tree, uow ? " — Huriji ! " Yes ! I slew him in the jungle — for thy sweet love, I profess it ! Underneath a twisted sandal lies his body ! " — Huriji! BASTI SINGH'S WIFE. 203 IO. "Show me!" "Nay!" he said, "but only, Basti's widow ! if thou swearest Thou wilt keep his bed-place for me at thy soft side " — Huriji ! " Oh, my husband's elder brother ! if his death-place thou declarest, This I swear, none else shall have it — show me ! show me ! " — Huriji ! 1 1. All beneath the eyes of midnight, under peepul trees which listen, Over plain, and down the nullah, through the river, — Huriji ! On the road with horse-hoofs dinted, by the paths where blood-drops glisten, To the twisted tree he led her : " Look ! thy Hus- band ! " — Huriji ! 12. " Oh, my Husband's elder brother ! oh, thou Slayer ! oh, thou Liar ! 234 OTHER POEMS. Fetch me flame, the while I build the pile for burning : " — Huriji ! " Swear, once more, none else shall have you, if I go to fetch you fire." " Yea ! I swear ! " said Basti's widow, building, building — Huriji ! 13. Hasten ! hasten ! Basti's brother ! She hath laid him, bold and lonely, On the dry wood ! She hath mounted ! From her breast-cloth, — Huriji ! She hath drawn hid fire and set it. Haste not ! there are ashes only Left of Basti Singh the Rajpoot, and his true wife — Huriji ! But all the tears of all the eyes Find room in Gunga's bed : And all the sorrow is gone to-morrow 1 1 'hen the scarlet flames have fed. En Vernon? of £. 5., iETAT. 21. ( IF/*o was accidentally drowned in Loch Maree, Scotland, on the 29th of August, 1887.) Too dear to die ! too sweet to live, and bear The griefs which burden all our being here ! Too precious to give up, could Love but stay The stroke of Fate, and parting pangs delay ! Yet take -her — since 'tis willed — Angels of Heav'n ! Your Sister- Angel ; her so briefly given To grace and gladden Earth. Ah, wild Scotch Lake ! Wo will not curse thee, for her gentle sake ; Ah ! cruel Water-Nymphs ! who drew her in, We half forgive, she was so fair to win ! All, Rocks and Rowan-trees, who saw her die. And could not save her ! wo shall, by and by, Know the hard secret of a woe like this, And see — clear-eyed — how Sorrow brings to Bliss. To-day there comes no comfort ! None ! We wave Weak hands towards that gloom beyond the grave ; 20 6 OTHER POEMS. We speed vain messages of tender thought To that new-vanished Spirit ; who saith naught ! Still, she must know ! must hear ! must yearn to say All's well with her ; that Love and Death, alway, Are friends ; and last pains light, and swift to heal ; And the Loch's winding-sheet not cold to feel ! She speaks ! with higher life made glad and full ; Our ears for Angels' whispers are too dull ! Have, then, thy early peace, Sophie ! and we — By this trust lightened — Love's blind agony. lEpitapb written for tfoc Same. Dear Maid ! the waters, closing o'er thy head, Snatched thee from Earth, but opened Heaven, instead. Sadly we give thee back to God That gave, In this faith firm — that He, who walked the wave, Held thy Soul up, when thy sweel Body sank; Ami Led Ihee, loving, to the Blissful Bank. Pray for us. new-made Angel! — now, that we ik not beneath the waves of Sorrow's Sea. FROM THE SANSKRIT. FROM THE SANSKRIT. (Brisbma; or, TLhc Season of ifocat. [Froin the Ritu Sanhdra of Kdliddsa.] With fierce noons beaming, moons of glory gleaming, Full conduits streaming, where fair bathers lie ; With sunsets splendid, when the strong Day, ended, Melts into languor, like a lover's sigh — So cometh Summer nigh. a And shadows black as night, laced with gold light Where beams, flame-bright, pierce courts of calm retreat; Wan rills which warble over glistening marble ; Cold jewels, and red sandal, moist and sweet, These for the time are meet Of Suchi springing ; of the glad days bringing Love-songs for singing which all hearts enthral ; Wine-foam that hovers at the lips of lovers, Perfumes and pleasures in the Palace-Hall : In Suchi these befall. o 210 FROM THE SANSKRIT. For then, their hips loose-cinctured, bosoms tinctured With dust of neem-spray, and with pearl-strings gay ; Their new-laved hair unbound, and spreading round Faint scents, the Palace-maids in tender play The ardent hearts allay Of princely playmates. Through the painted gates Their feet, with lac-dye neat, and anklets ringing, In music trip along, echoing the song Of wild swans — all men's souls by subtle singing To Kama's service bringing : For who, their softly-heaving breasts perceiving. Their white pearls — weaving with the emerald stars Girdles and anadems — their gold and gems Linked upon waist and thigh, in Love's soft snares Is not caught unawares ? Their silk cloths laid aside, ch61is thrown wide In the warm night- tide — they their beauty cover Willi woven veil too airy to conceal It ilcw-pearled smoothness: so, with youth clad over Each finds her eager lover. GRISHMA : OR, THE SEASON OF HEAT. 211 Ami breathings tender from the fans of chanda, Odours that wander from those gem-bound brea^i Voices of stream and bird, and low notes heard From sitar-strings amid the song's unrests, Wake passion; with light jests And side-long glances, and slow-moving dances Each maid enhances newly-stirred delight ; Quick leaps the fire of love's divine desire So kindled in the season when the Night With whitest stars is dight ; Till, on the silvered terraces, the faces Love's slumber graces, lip to fond lip lie ; And — all for sorrow there must come To-morrow — The moon, who watches them, pales in the sky While the still Night doth die. Then breaks red dawn! The whirling dust is driven O'er earth and heaven, until the sun-scorched plain A road scarce shows, for dazzling heat to those Who, far from home and friends, journey in pain Longing to rest again. 212 FROM THE SANSKRIT. In troops returning, with muzzles dry and burning For cool streams yearning, herds of antelope Haste where the brassy sky, banked black and high, Gives clouded promise. There will be — they hope, Water beyond the Tope ! In full glare failing, his hooded terrors veiling, His slow coils trailing o'er the fiery dust, The cobra glides to nighest shade, and hides His head beneath the peacock's train : he must His direst foeman trust ! Pea-fowls forlorn, o'ermastered and o'erborne By blaze of morn cower down with weary cries, No stroke they make to slay the gliding snake Who creeps for shelter underneath the eyes Of their spread jewelleries ! The tiger scowling — that kingly tyrant, prowling, For sore thirst howling, orbs a-stare and red. Sees without fear the elephants pass near, Lolls his lank tongue and hangs his bloody head, His mighty forces fled. GRISHMA ; OR, THE SEASON OF HEAT. 213 Nor heed the elephants fclie tiger, plucking Dry leaves, and sucking with their hot trunks dew, By heat tormented still they trumpet shrill, And, nowhere finding water, still renew Their search — a woeful crew ! With restless snout rooting their rank food out, Where, all about the slime, thick grasses grow, The grey boars, grunting in dire ill-contenting, Dig lairs to shield them from the torturing glow. Deep — deep as they can go. The frog, for misery of his pool, drawn dry 'Neath that flame-darting sky, and waters drained Down to their clay — crawls croaking forth to stay Against the black-snake's coils, where there is gained A little shade ; and, strained To patience by the rays which flicker and blaze From the scorched jewel on his venomous head, That worm whose tongue — as the blast burns along — Licks it for coolness, all discomfited Strikes not his new friend dead ! 214 FROM THE SANSKRIT. The pool, once showing 'mid the green leaves growing, Blue Lotus blowing, hath no blossoms more ! Its fish are dead ; its fearful cranes are fled ; And crowding cattle all its flowery shore Tramp to a miry floor. With foam-strings roping down his jowl, and dropping From drawn, dried lips ; horns laid aback, and eyes Mad with the drouth, and thirst-distracted mouth, Fierce-thundering from the mountain cavern flies The bison, in wild wise, Questing some water-channel. Bare and scrannel The palms droop where the crows sit in a row With beaks agape. The grey baboon and ape Climb chattering to the bush. The buffalo Bellows. The locusts go Choking the wells. Far over hills and dells Roams the affrighted eye, beholding blasted The pleasanl grass, the forests* leafy mass With. -red, its glory waned, its grace exhausted, Its creatures wasted. GRISHMA ; OR, THE SEASON OF HEAT. 21 Then springs to view, blood-red and fierce of hue, As blooms sprung new on the kusumbha-tree, The wood-fire's tongue, fanned by the winds, and flung Furiously forth — thorns, canes and brakes you see Wrapped in one agony, By ruin riven ! The conflagration driven In crimson levin, roars from jungle dells, Hisses and blusters through the bamboo clusters, Crackles across the curling reeds, compels All that in woodland dwells Headlong to fly ! Dreadful those flames to espy Coil from the cotton-tree, snakes of hot gold, Violently break from root and trunk to take The seething leaves and boughs in deadly hold ; Then passing, to enfold New plunder: beasts and birds, a sight of wonder, Through the smoke thunder — all their enmity Lain quite aside ; seeking the river wide Which Hows by sandy flats ; in company As friends, they madly lice ! 216 FROM THE SANSKRIT. But thee, my Best- Beloved ! may Suchi visit fair With songs of secret waters cooling the quiet air ; Under blue beds of lotus-buds, and patalas which shed Beauty and balm, while Moon-time weaves over thy happy head Its silvery veil. So nights and days of Summer glide for thee Amid the Pleasure-palaces, with love and melody ! A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 217 H Queen's IRcvcnoc. From the Virata Parva of the Mahdbhdrata. [This indubitably genuine portion of the great Hindoo Epic possesses special interest by reason of its spirited narrative, and also of the light which it casts upon ancient Indian life and manners. The five Pandu Princes, with their Queen- Consort, Draupadi, have quitted the Forest, in which they had passed twelve years of exile, to dwell in disguise at the court of King Virata of the Matsyas. The subjoined version follows closely the Sanskrit text, but omits several detached passages and lines, for the sake of condensation.] Spake Janmejaya : " I am fain to hear How fared my lordly forefathers disguised In King Virata's city. Did they 'scape Duryodhana, and undiscovered dwell ? Also, thou Brahmana ! Queen Draupadi — Stricken with so much ill, so true to vows, Dear to all Gods, delightful, — prospered she?"' Quoth Vaisampayana: "Hear, Chief of ]\Icn ! How thy proud forefathers sojourned unmarked, In King Virata's town. That son of Heaven, Prince Yudhisthira, of the righteous soul, 2i 8 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Summoned his brothers, and spake thus to them : " Twelve rain-times have we spent banished from home, The thirteenth — hard to pass, is come ! Choose now Some place for us — Arj una, Kunti's son ! — Where we may dwell, unknown by enemies." Arj una answered : " Dharma's help will keep Our ways concealed, thou King of men ! But I Will tell thee of fair spots, pleasant and good, Take which thou may'st. Round our forbidden realm Stretch Chedi, and Panchala ; Matsya, Pattachahara, Dusarna, Surasen, Naorashtra, Salva, Malla, Avanti, Yugandhara, Surashtra, and the plains Of Kuntirashtra. Which, then, choosest thou Prince of all Princes ! for this troublous year ? " And Yudhisthira said: "Oh, mighty-armed! Thou speakest sooth ; it will be as He wills The Lord of Justice. Let us seek forthwith One of those lands, quiet, auspicious, fair, Ami trustful sojouru there. Matsya's Chief, The old \ irata hath a virtuous name ; Kindly and strong he is ; dear to all men; A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 219 And loveth furthermore our Pandavas. Let us o'ertido this year in Matsya With King Virata. Say then, Kuril Lords ! In what guise think ye to present yourselves For service at the Court ? " Answered Arjun : "Speak first, thou First of men ! To what low task Can'st thou bow down ? Lofty, and true, and mild, How wilt thou face the griefs which threaten thee ? Eow bear such burden of indignities ? " But Yudhisthira gave reply : " Hear now, What 1 will do at King Virata's Court, Eight lordly brothers ! giving forth myself A Brahman, known as Kanka, skilled in dice, Cunning to play at games, I shall become The. King's attendant: I shall deftly move Men cut in tusk of elephant, and stain'ed Blue, yellow, white and red, on chequered cloths, 15y cast of double black and scarlet dice. Beguiling royal hours. Nor so employed 3 Will the King knew me. But if he should ask 'Whence and what art thou?' 1 shall answer thus, 22o FROM THE SANSKRIT. 1 1 was Prince Yudhisthira's closest friend.' So in Virata, purpose I to live ; And thou, my Bhima ! in what office thou ? " Quoth Bhima : " As a Cook will I appear At King Virata's Court, My name shall be A'allava : I am skilled in kitchen craft ; I will dress dishes, Prince ! as none before Have dieted this Lord. Great loads of wood My brawny back shall carry, him to serve ; And, seeing my tireless strength the palace-folk Will entertain me friendly, and my hand Will be set over all the meats and drinks. Also, if it be ordered that I fight Fierce bulls and fiery elephants, these arms Shall vanquish them ; and if they match with me Wrestlers and boxers I shall meet them all And lay them low, to make Virata sport ; Yet so as not to slay — if that may be. Further, if any ask, ' Whence comest thou ? ' Or 'Who art thou ?' I shall this answer give: ' 01' late I was the wrestler and the cook To Yudliisiliira.' Thus 1 purpose, Prince!" A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 221 Then Yudhisthira said: ''And, what shall be The office of our Kuru Lord, our pride ; The long-armed, fearless, firm, unconquerable, Kunti's dear son, whom once Agni himself Encountered, when he came, as Bralnnana, To burn Khandava wood? What humble chare Will Arjun take, foremost of warriors? How stands thy mind herein, great Brother! s Himavat of all Hills ! Ocean 'mid lakes ! Sakra of Gods ! of Vasus flaming Fire ! In the woods Tiger ! in the skies Garud ! " Replied Arjun: " Excellent Prince, my mind Is to declare myself a Shandaka, An Eunuch. True, I know it will be hard To hide the string-marks here ; but I shall wear Bangles upon my arms ; rings in my ears ; Shell-circlets on my wrists, and twine my locks Into a hanging braid. Thus shall I seem A sexless thing ; by name Vrihannala ; And living so, as Shanda, I shall charm The King and palace-inmates with my arts. Teaching his women how to sing, and dance Delicate measures; and delightful airs FROM THE SANSKRIT. To play tliem on tlie various instruments. Also the ways of courts I shall recount, And lover's tricks, making muck pleasantry, Myself, meanwhile, dissembling under these. And, Bkarata! if the King think to ask I'll say : ' I lived Draupadi's drum-beater In Yudhisthira's house.' So, keeping close As fire is hid by ashes, I shall pass Good days, dear Prince ! at King Virata's Court." Then Yudhisthira asked : " My Nakula ! — Handsome, and gifted with all grace, and born For lofty life and ease, — what menial toil Will thou sustain in the King's vassalry ? " Nakula made answer : " Brother ! I will be Virata's horse-keeper, named Granthika, I know that work : I have an art to train The untaught colts, breaking and backing them, For horses unto me, as unto thee, "Were ever dear. Excellent Chief! And when Men question in Virata's land, I'll say: ' I kept the horses of Prince Yudhisthir ! ' Thus shall I dwell at peace, friendly with all, \nd none will know that I am Nakula ! " A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 223 Next Yudhisthira said : " Thou, Sahadev ! How wilt thou bear thyself before the King ? In what way wilt thou pass these days, disguised ? Sahadev made reply : " I will become A herdsman of his cattle, skilled to milk, And fold, and tell the kine. This task I'll take As Tantripal the Cowherd. Banish doubt, Prince! from thy mind. liver, in days gone by I fared with oxen, and I know them well, Their ways and natures, all their lucky marks. And which is good or bad, and how to choose Bulls of right shape and colour, bulls of blood Whose very sniff makes barren heifers breed. Brother ! that work I know, and I shall live Unrecognised, and favoured by the King." Anew spake Yudhisthira : " Still remains This our dear Queen, dearer than realm or life ; So to be cherished as a mother is. Or elder-sister. Yet what knoweth she Of any woman's labour; what sale place Can Draupadi — can gentle Krishna find ? Tender and youthful, and a high Princess, 224 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Softly her years have flowed hereto, as soft As she is pure and faithful. Now, alas ! How wilt thou dwell, dear Draupadi ! whose life Was glad with garlands, fragrant with fine airs, Dainty with gems and flowers, and golden cloths ? " Draupadi answered : " Nay ! there go in towns The women called Sairindhris, waiting-girls, Who enter household service — elsewhere shunned. I will give forth I am Sairindhri, Prince ! Skilled to dress hair ; and I shall say I dwelled Draupadi's waiting woman in past days At Yudhisthira's Palace. Thus concealed Safe shall I serve the well-reputed Queen Sudeshna. She will favour me, be sure ! Have ye no care for me ! " And the Prince said, " Well hast thou spoken. Yet herein, dear Queen, Bethink thee, always, of thy line and house ! Guarded and vowed, hereto, thou knowest not wrong, Therefore, so bear thyself that evil eyes .May take no profit, if they turn on thee." A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 225 And Vaisainpuyana went on : — These Five Buckling their swords, and binding round their arms String-guards of lizard-skin, with quivors charged, Put forth, setting their faces for the shores Of the Kalindi stream. Heretofore lodged In trackless brakes, on pathless mountain-peaks, Now was their forest sojourn finished ; now The hope drew nigh to win their lands again. So to tho southern bank they came, each chief Lusty with woodland-life and hunter's fare ; So passed they Yakilloma, Surasen ; And left behind Panchala to the right, Dasarna to the left ; and quitting then The jungle country, entered Matsya, Sworded and bearded, wayworn, wearing guise Of stalwart woodmen. Reaching trodden ground Draupadi spake : " Look ! there be footpaths here, And fields fenced in : yet distant seems the town Of King Virata. Halt we now till dawn ; Great is my weariness ! " Quoth Yudhisthir : " Arjuua ! Best of Bowmen ! take her up ! 226 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Carry sweet Krishna ! Where the thickets cease We see Virata's city." Then Arjun, With thews as of bull elephant, took up Sweet Draupadi ; and bore her 'till they saw The far town-walls. Hereupon Kunti's son Spake, saying : " In what place shall we conceal Our weapons ere we enter ? Bearing them Our mien must fright the townsmen : nay, no doubt, Gandiva, this prodigious bow, is known ; But if we be discovered — even one — Then stand we pledged to tarry twelve years more Within the forest ! " And Arjuna said : " Hard by yon burning-ground, below that crag Rising so steep to climb — a Sami-tree Spreads its wide branches. None will note, meseems, If we should hide our arms on't. See! it grows Close to the death-yard, in a dreary waste II minted by wolves and snakes. LH us conceal Our weapons so ; and afterwards pass free Into the city." A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 227 This agreed, Arjun — Thither repairing with the princely band — Slipped from its notch Gandiva's string — that string Which, drawn in war, sang with a thunderous song, Destroying hosts, subduing with swift shafts Nagas, and Gods, and men and provinces ; And Yudhisthira slacked th' unfailing cord Of that dread bow which routed hostile ranks At Kurukshetra. Bhima next unstruii"- The weapon that Panchala's throne o'erthrew — Which, singly fighting, broke a host of foes, Resounding like the roaring of a storm When mountains cleave — awful to enemies. Uncorded too his bow fair Nakula, The comely light-hued Lord named for his grace, Soft spoken, mild, yet fearful in the field, Nakula those notched horns loosed, which theretofore Conquered the west. And the twin Sahadev Freed his, which won the countries of the South. Then, with their bows, laid they aside their swords : Long, glittering; and their arrows sharp as knivi And jewelled quivers. Nakula, climbing up. Bestowed all these in strong and hollow forks Safe from the rain. Also the heroes huno- o 3 FROM THE SANSKRIT. A body in the boughs ; " for so," said they, " The people, smelling winds of death, and seeing The corpse, will cry : ' Avoid yon Saroi-tree ! ' But certain cattle-herders — passing — asked " Why hang ye thus a corpse upon the tree ? " Answered the Pandavas : " Our mother 'tis : Nine score years old at death ! We hang her there Because it is the custom of our race ! " So did those Five draw nigh the City-Gates ! But Yudhisthira — ere he reached the walls Entering that pleasant city — silently Lifted his heart to call on Durga's help, Queen Durga of three worlds, Giver of good. Enhancer of the household, Kansa's dread, Destroyer of the Demons, in bright wreaths Ever arrayed, ever in rich robes dressed; The Goddess with the buckler and the blade, Who ransoms those that love her, though they be Sunk in their sins, as is a cow in mire — Protectress strong, and succourer of men, Pi-livr-ring them from evil. So, that Prince A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 2 2-j For him. and for his Five invoking Iter, Thus named her holy names in whispered hymn: " Glory to Thee ! Durga of beauteous brow ! The Many-faced and Many-handed ! Thou That hast the dark limbs and deep bosoms ! Now Listen to us, and aid ! Goddess ! whose anklets shine with lightning's thrown From burning blue of dazzling sapphire-stoi And dancing green of emerald. Devi known 'o o' As Everlasting Maid ! " Thou, who dost bear the cup and lily flow The bell, the noose, the bow, the disc of power, Thy never-failing weapons. In this hour Be present, Virgin Queen ! Thou with the shell-shaped ears — open to prayer — Where swing the glittering rings ! Thou who dost wear The diadem of glory, and lung hair Bound in a braid of sheen ! " Moon-eyed ! with the garment rimmed by snakes Whose skin enamelled dappled brilliance makes — 2 3 o FROM THE SANSKRIT. golden-girdled Lady ! for our sakes, Durga ! send benison ! Thou with the serpents green and gold, which bind Thy broad hips in, as flickering forests wind Round Mandara ! be of propitious mind, Great Lion-riding One ! " Give grace ! Be favourable ! Succour now, For Thou art Java, and Vijaya Thou ! And Victory sits on Thy plume-circled brow Vindhya's dread denizen ! Kali ! strong Kali ! fed with meat and wine, And fat smoke of the sacrifice divine, Whom all Gods follow, when the will is thine To scatter gifts to men : " To thee men cry whom robber-bands assail ; Who cross swift streams, or drive before the gale ; Who toil in jungles ; or in deserts fail ; Thou art their Name of Might ! And Thee rememb'ring none is all undone; Thou dost regard and rescue every one, Eigh Mah&devi! Thou art Moon and Sun, Comfort, and Peace, and Light ! A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 231 "Tims I, a Prince without his kingdom, bow, Claiming thy aid and favour, Goddess! now ; Laying — oh, Lotus-eyed — a humbled brow Before Thee — in the dust : As Thou art Durga — to Thy rotaries kind. Be true to those that keep a faithful mind : Let us to-day Thy grace and favour iind \Y ho in Thee put our trust ! " 1 'raised so by Pandu's son, Durga appeared And spake: " Behold me, long-armed Prince ! my grace Is granted thee ! Thou wilt o'ercome ! Thy fo Shall fail before thee, and these Realms be thine, And all thy paths go thornless — yea, and now They shall not know thee 'midst these Matsyas, Because thou didst invoke me, worshipping me ! " Therewith she vanished from his wondering eyes. Then, tying in his cloth the golden dice Set with blue numbers, and concealing them Under his arm-pit, Yudhisthira passed Into Virata's Gate: whom the old King Witnessed approaching, like a cloud- wrapped moon Cleaving the sky ; and to his counsellors 232 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Spake : " Seek ye who this is, noble of port, Pacing so proudly, royal — having none To herald him, no slave, no chariot — And yet the air of Indra ! Fearlessly He wendeth, like an elephant in rut Trampling the lotuses." Thereat the Prince Standing before Virata, of himself Thus answered : " Know me, King ! a Brahmana, Who, lacking means to live, craves it of thee ; Thy service would I take ! " Well pleased that Lord Replied : " We welcome thee ! have what thou seek'st. But say whence comest thou ? what is thy name ? Thy family ? and what skill vauntest thou ? " . ■■ Kanka I am ; skilled in the play of dice," The Prince said : " born in the Vaiyaghra house, A friend of Yudhisthira in old days ! " At this Virata spake : " Be my will hoard ! Where I am master thou art man: thy friends A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 233 Arc mine; and my foes thine. Here shalt thou find Glad entertainment, with full meat and drink, And all my doors shall open stand for thee ! " So Yudhisthira entered in the Court. Came presently another towards the King ; Lion-like — vast of bone — whose right hand held A cooking-howl, his left an unsheathed sword Of stainless sheen. And seeing him draw near The Matsya king spake unto those around : " Whence is this mighty man, this Bull of men. Broad-naped, and comely, like to Surya — Like to Purandara's great self! Learn ye ! " But Bhima, close approaching, with fair words Addressed Virata, saying, " Lord of Lords ! I am a cook, named Vallava, deep-taught In seasoning curious dishes, and I seek Thy service '6 P.I" "Thou a Cook:" Virata cried, " Who hast the bearing of the Thousand- Eyed ! And strength majestic, like a king uncrowned ? " " Yea, Lord ! a Cook," quoth Bhima, " and of old 234 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Prince Yudhisthira praised the meats I dressed ! Moreover, I can wrestle, Chief of Earth ! And show thee sport, fighting with elephants Or lions, since no man hath thews like mine." Then said the King : " Be it as thou dost ask ! I make thee Master of my kitchen-gear ! " So entered Bhima in Virata's Court. Next, through the city-gates stepped Draupadi, Her long black glossy hair, braided and tied, Rolled on the right side of her neck, lay hid Beneath a cloth, and the Queen's cloth was dark, Costly, but frayed. The deer-eyed Draupadi — Bright-smiling Draupadi — paced here and there — Dressed as Sairindhris be, mournful of mien : Whom, so beholding, men and women stayed, Knquiring, "Who art thou — what seekest thou ? " Whereto she said : " A king's Sairindhri I, Seeking such service as may find me food ! " But, looking on her beauty and her pride, None might believe. Presently, it befell o* A QUEEN'S REVENGE. The Queen Sudeshna from her Palace roof Spied the fair Lady thus forlorn and wrapped In one poor cloth ; and — calling — questioned her, Saying, " Who art thou, and what seekest thou, Beautiful stranger ? " Answered Draupadi : " A king's Sairindhri I, who service ask ! " " But," quoth Sudeshna : " can it be such grace Adorns a serving-maid ? thou rather seem'st Mistress of many servants ! Anklets trim ! Limbs nobly moulded ! feet, hands, body formed In fairest wise ! Thy palms and soles dyed red "With mehndi, and thy speech sweet as swan's note ! And lustrous silken hair ! and shapely breasts, Long neck, sloped shoulders, graceful globing hips ! Nay! like a Kashmir mare with all good marks Thou hast sure signs of blood — eve-lashes curved ! CD f Lips like red buds — waist taper, soft throat lined As is a conch shell — veins scarce seen — a face Like the full moon — eyes cut like lotus-leaves, And thou thyself fragrant as lotus is ! Tell me in truth — art thou some Goddess hid — Vnkhshi, or Gandharvi, or Apsara — A Naga Princess, or a Kinnari — Rohini's self, perchance ! which one of these ? " » 3 6 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Spake Draupadi : " None of all these am I, No Goddess, Gandharvi, or Rakkshasi ; But only a Sairindhri girl, wko knows To comb and braid the kair, pestle sweet gums For scents and unguents, and fair garlands weave Of lilies blue or red and ckampak blooms. Of old Queen Satyanami I did serve, And Draupadi, wife of tke Pandavas : Malini she would call me — ' wreatk maker.' Now roam I, having need of food and kome, And wkere I find them will I gladly bide ! " Sudeshna said, " Tkou skould'st live nearest me, Fair wanderer ! saving that I fear thy grace Would draw the King's heart wholly after thee ! See how my women eye thee as thou goest ! — "What would men do ? I think our Palace trees Wave worship as thou passest ! Surely then, Too faultless girl, Virata's mind will turn Away from me, and wholly unto thee ! Ah ! eyes so large and lustrous ! him they woo Must helplessly take fire ! If I, the Queen, Did house thee, should I not destroy myself, A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 237 As when the foolish crab conccivi'ii"- dies. Or one who climbs a tree falls headlong thence? " Draupadi answered : " Noble Lady ! none Will do me wrong, or thee ! My spouses five Are Gandharvas, lleav'n's sons. Their unseen strength Always protects me ; he, who sought my Love Dishonestly, would perish that same day ; Fear nothing from my beauty, gracious Queen ! " Sudeshna spake : " Bright one ! if this be true I take thee to my household, promising Thou shalt not wash another's feet, nor eat The leavings of another."' o So she passed Into the Falace, and none knew her name. j ) Then Sahadev, habited like to those Who tend the cattle, speaking as such speak, Came to the cow-pens of the King. Him, too, Wondering to see such stature and such strength, Virata summoned, questioning. The Prince, With deep voice, thus replied : " A Vaisya I, Arishtanuini named ; a cowherd once 238 FROM THE SANSKRIT. In service of the Pandavas ; but now I wist not where they roam, those Lion Lords ; Yet service must I find, and if thou wilt, Great King, with thee ! " " Thou hast no cowherd's air," Virata said ; " a ruler might'st thou be Of Ocean-girdled earth ; a Harvester Of foes on the red battle-field. Speak sooth ! From whose land comest thou ? What followest thou ? AY hat office dost thou seek, aud for what gage ? " Quoth Sahadev : " Prince Yudhisthira owned Lakhs of fair kine, and I was Cow-master. I knew the breed and points of all which grazed Within ten yojanas. The Prince himself Would praise my craft, since none was skilfuller To match the cows and balls, and multiply The herds, and keep murrain and plague away. I know which beasts bear the auspicious marks, Which lordly sires, almost by sight and smell Will make the barren heifers fall with calf." Virata answered: "Henceforth shalt thou be A QUEEN'S REVENGE. Our Cowherd. All my hundred thousand kine I put into thy charge." So Sahadev Entered the Royal household, and none knew. Next day another stalwart stranger strode Within the Gates; comely to view and strong, But decked in female ornaments. He wore Long ear-rings, and shell armlets laid with gold. His dark hair flowing down his neck. Thus hid Virata spied Arjun, and bade enquire "Whence is that man?" and when he nearer drew Spake this : " Art thou an Eunuch ? — thou so limbed Like to a bull of elephants, thou framed To ride on war-cars, wielding bow and spear ? " Arjuna said: "An Eunuch am I, King ! Ask not to such sad state how I did fall. I sing and dance, and play the bansuli, Vina and drum. Make me thy slave to teach Sweet music to the women in thy house. I am Yrihannala, the sexless one. Daughter of no man, and of no man son ! " 24 o FROM THE SANSKRIT. And when the King was made content, he sent That Pandu Prince — in women's garb disguised, Playing his pipe, and singing dancing-songs — To be a teacher of the Women. So Arjuna entered, unto no one known. Last was there seen, fast pacing to the Gate Another Pandu Lord, like the gold Sun From clouds emerging. Drawing nigh, his gaze Marked heedfully the horses. Noting this The Matsya Chief spake to his courtiers : " I marvel whence he comes, that goodly man Who eyes our steeds so steadfastly ; go ye ! Bid him approach, he wears a warlike air ! " Therewith was Nakula led anigh ; and said : " Victory, great King, to thee, with health and 1 trace ! I am a horse-tamer whom Lords have praised In times gone by ; new service now I seek ; Make me thy stable-keeper." A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 241 " I were fain," The King replied ; " bat what skill boastest thou ? Whence wendest thou to us, how art thou called ? " The Prince said : " Satrukarshan ! Harvester Of slaughtered foes ! I served great Yudhisthir, The eldest of our Pandavas. I kept His stables ; for I know the hearts of steeds To break colts in, and cure the faults of them ; To bleed and fire and physic them ; to nurse Their strength and speed, and even the wildest mares To gentle all. My name is Granthika." Virata said : " I take thee ; Granthika ! Have charge of all my horses." Thus he, too, Passed into service of the Court unknown. [The next section relates how the disguised Princes spent their time in King Virata's Court ; secretly assist- ing each other, " as much hidden as if once more in the womb." Yudhisthira, by dice-playing, keeps the conrtiers amused, and "sitting like birds tied on a stick ; " Arjnna 242 FROM THE SANSKRIT. provides tlie Five, with food and clothes ; Sahadev with milk and curds ; Nakula with money, gained by horse- breaking ; Bkiina, who distinguishes himself greatly at wrestling and fighting, brings credit on his kinsmen ; and all watch anxiously over the safety of Draupadi, who, during ten months, lives in the Palace, well-treated by Queen Sudeshna, but distressed at the menial condition of the Princes, and becauseof her separation from them. Towards the close of this year of concealment a terrible danger threatens the Pandu Queen, which is narrated as follows -J It fell at the year's end, that Kichaka, The Captain of the armies of the King, Cast eyes on Draupadi ; and — seeing her Fair as an Apsara, pacing with gait Of Goddess, heavenly-sweet — burned for her love, Smitten by Kama's shaft. Then to the Queen, His sister, spake he : " Never until now, Marked I this slave ; but now she maddens me AN'itli that dark face, as new wine maddens men ! Who is she ? and whence sprang she ? and who owns This Pearl of Shes ? I am become her thrall : Sick unto death I am for her, and she My only medicine ! Thy waiting wench — A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 243 If she be thine — was never born to serve! Divine she seems, and fitter to command Kingdoms and kings! Sister, give me the girl ! She shall be Mistress in my Falace, dec!. I With gold and gems, royally lodged and fed. Shall ride on elephants ! " Virata's wife Nothing gainsaying, Kichaka sought soon The Kuru Queen, and so accosted her As might some fawning jackal in the woods Accost a lioness. " Celestial one ! Whose, and who art thou ? Lovely, winsome face ! Whence didst thou shine upon us ? Tell me ! Sure Never were seen such charms, never beheld Such countenance, bright as the moon at full ; Such brows like bows, such eyes like lotus-leaves, Such limbs, such hips, such feet, such faultless form ! Art thou great Lakhshmi of the Lilies, Sweet ? Or Rati, Kama's Queen ; or Ilri, or Sri ; Kirti, or Kanti, Fairest? Thou with breasts So deep, so round, so sister-like, so close, Worthy to bind with gold! All, lotus buds! Those are as barbs of Kama, piercing me! 244 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Thy waist, a span to clasp — thy smooth soft flesh Dimpled with folds — thy sides rounded and dark As river-banks — each loveliness in turn Consumeth me with fire of love and hope Like a wood burning ! Dear one, quench this flame ! Be the kind cloud, laden with rain, which cools ! Heal where thy night-black eyes have hurt so deep ! Restore me, for thou mayest ! Dwell no more In misery ill-befitting ; wealth is thine, And ease and joy, if thou dost deign to take, With luxury of wine-cups, garlands, robes. See ! I will put away those wives I have, For thy sweet sake : they shall be slaves to thee ; And I will be thy slave — thy faithfullest — Ever obeying every little word Those soft lips speak ! " Draupadi answered : " Shame Forbids thee, Senapati ! to desire A serving-maid of low degree, a slave "Who dresses hair. Moreover, be this known, I am a wedded woman — so, 'tis sin ! And tin hi dost turn tliy heart towards infamies! [f thou beesl great, thou owest to thy state A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 245 Good deeds, and noble life : but sinful men — Klind by desire — win woe, and dire disgrai Then Kichaka, by those high words unmovnl, O'ermastered, reckless, lost — even while he knew Fatal his fault and everywise condemned — Spake insolent : " 111 it beseemeth thee, Fair though thou art, and with a face like Heaven, To slight me, who am fall'n to be thy thrall ! Night-eyed Enchantress ! if thou scornest one So gently spoken, thou wilt grieve for it ! Know, Damsel with the brows! this kingdom's head Is Kichaka, not old Virata : Hold up the land ! 'tis I am Lord and Chief, With none to mate my strength, my will, my wealth ; Nor any better- favoured ! Art thou road, Proffered full share of all my luxury, To cling to servitude ? Take rather, girl, Humbly this love I give, and have with me What women seek — else shrewdly shalt thou fare ! Thus arrogantly wooed, the proud Princ Answered, indignant : " Sutaputra ! Shame! Stay thy fool's tongue forthwith — if life be dear ! Five Gandharvas there be who watch o'er me : 246 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Thou cans't not have me — they will slay thee ! Pause ! Tread not a path hard to be trod, a path Which brings thee to thy end. Thou guilty Lord ! Thou art a child, standing on the sea's brink, Who thinks to cross, and dips one foolish foot : Yet could'st thou cross, or could'st thou soar in air, Or creep into the deepest underworld, Thou would'st not so escape the wrath of those Who God-like guard me ! Why, then, Kichaka, Solicit me, like the sick man that prays For night to come, when night must make him die ? Wherefore desire me, high beyond thy reach As the moon is for which an infant's hands Stretch from his mother's lap ! * Thou seekest death ! Hide where thou wilt, lost art thou, Kichaka, Except sense serves thee yet to save thyself." Kichaka, thus denied, with longings wild, Eastes to Sudeshna, crying: "Sister mine, Contrive that thy Sairindhri come to me : Find me some way to win this sweet-voiced wench — Find, or I die, Sudeshna !" * Notable is the antiquity of ilii.> phra e ! The original runs: '•Kim maturanki iayito yatka Siiusehandran jighrikshuriva mamjasc !n mdn." A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 247 So the Queen. Pitying his passion, said: " Look now, provide Cakes and flower- wine for me against the feast, And I will send my woman to thy house, Bidding her fetch the wine. Then, being there, Alone, quiet, unseen — if thou may'st win, Soothe her, aud win her. Brother, she is thine." Then Kichaka strained wine, brewed rich and strong For royal cups, and set his deftest cooks To dress rare meats and sweets : which being done, Sudeshna spake : " Arise, Sairindhri ! run, I am athirst ! Lord Kichaka hath wine : Go to his house, and bring me of his wine." Quoth Draupadi : " Queen, I may not go ! Thou knowest that he is shameless ! Noble Queen, I will not be a common woman here, False to my Lords. Keep thou in mind, dear Queen, All thou did'st promise. This most wicked man. Mad with his wish for me, will, seeing me, Attempt foul wrong. Command me not to go ! Thou hast, good Majesty, full many a maid : Bid one of these fetch wine ! " :4§ FROM THE SANSKRIT. Sudeshna said : " Surely he will not harm thee, sent by me ! " And therewith in her hands the patra laid, Golden, with lid of gold, which Draupadi Trembling and weeping took, and as she went She prayed this prayer : " Since I am innocent Of any wifely sin, let innocence Protect me now, and shield from Kichaka." Thus spake she, bending low to Surya : Whereon the God a Rakshasa sent down To guard her. But when Kichaka beheld Draupadi coming, like a frightened deer, Up sprang he, joyous as the traveller Who sees the boat will bear him o'er the stream. " Oh thou with glossy braided locks ! " he cried, " Welcome, thrice welcome ! Truly this long night Hath brought a blissful day, since thou art here To live the Mistress of my House. Smile now ! Say thou wilt pleasure me ; and bid me bring ! 'ingles and chains of gold, with golden rings Fair-wrought and wonderful, rubies and pearls, A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 249 And rich gilt cloths and skins of deer. See h< How soft thy couch will be ! Sit by me, Dear, And drink of honey-wine, and ■ " Draupadi Brake in, impatient: " Tis the Queen hath sent. She bade me ask for wine : she is athirst ; Speedily give, and let me go ! '' At this Says Kichaka : " My Lotus ! some one else Shall carry to the Queen ! "' therewith lie grasped Draupadi's arm, but, feeling that vile touch The Princess cried aloud : " As never once Swerved I from wedded duty, ev'n in thought, So by my truth of heart 'scape I thee now ; And I shall live to see thee, daring wretch, Roll in the dust, a carcase." I [earing that. Furious he seized her cloth and strove to hold. But bursting from his hands, scornful, incensed. Not brooking such intolerable wrong, The angry Lady — breathing hard and quick — 250 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Struck hirn and felled him, like a root-cut tree. Then, while he sprawled, she turned and ran at speed Straight for the Hall where Kins? Virata sate "With Yudhisthira, Bhima, and the Court. But, flying thus, that guilty Lord enraged Rose, followed her, and in the full Divan Caught her long hair, and dragged her down, and spurned Her body with his foot, in the King's sight, In sight of Bhima and of Yudhisthir. With leaping hearts those Pandu Princes there Saw the foul deed ; and Bhima gnashed his teeth Raging to kill, and knit his angry brows : Sweat sprang on him, flame sparkled from his eyes, "With wrath he quaked, his hands covered his mouth, He would have started forth and slain that Lord. But Yudhisthira, wiser, squeezed his thumbs Commanding peace, lest all be known ; and when Like elephant in must Bhima glared hard, The elder Prince spake masterful, " Dost seek Trees to uproot for fuel, burly Cook ! Go find and fell them out of doors, not here ! " So Bhima choked his rage ; but Draupadi With shame and anger wild — yet loath to break A QUEEN'S REVENGE. -51 Their secret — standing at the entrance-place, Cried loud, in tears : " Lords, ye have seen to-day Spurned by the feet of yon vile Matsyan The wife of those whose foes, in time gone by, Dared not to sleep — no, not if four broad realms Lay between them and vengeance. Ye have seen Her outraged who hath champions strong enough To shatter all your state — if they would strike. "Well for ve is it that these warriors skulk : "Well for ye that their force immeasurable Sleeps like an eunuch's spirit, witnessing Their dear chaste Lady beaten as a drab ! Thou too, King ! no King thou shewest thyself, Else had'st thou nowise suffered that this man, Base Thief — not Army-Chief — should flout me thus In thy full Court! Dishonoured are ye all, Not knowing right, nor virtue ! — infamous The throne ye serve ; and ye who serve the throne ! " Then spake the troubled King: "We have not known Tour cause of quarrel ; " and the Court iris said, "Truly the large-eyed One hath wrong herein ; Faultless to view she is — most beautiful ! 252 FROM THE SANSKRIT. But Yudkisthira, calm in wrath, addressed His beauteous wife : " Sairindhri ! tarry not ! Go to the Queen. The wives of heroes bear Distress for those they love, and so attain. Those Godlike Lords of thine choose not this hour To wreak their ire ; yet they will choose. Weep not Nor play the actress here ! Thy Gandharvas Will do thee pleasure, and requite this man." So went she grieved, her long hair loose, her eyes Reddened with weeping, to Sudeshnas bower, And told the deeds of Kichaka. But when The Queen had said, " If he has done this thing He should be shent," the sobbing Princess cried, " Nay ! those he wronged shall slay him ! two days hence I think his soul will sink to Yamalok." And when she reached her room and stripped to bathe Her fairest body, fell she to hot thought, Musing : " What shall I do ? Where go? What plan To kill this Lord ? " and as she mused, the name Ot Bhima came : " Bhima will aid — none else Save Bhima can achieve ! " So she arose And sought out Bhima in his cooking-place, A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 253 Approaching as a three-year cow her bull In season, or a hen-crane towards its mate At pairing time ; and like a jungle-vim' Clasping a Sal on Gomti's wooded banks ; Or like a fondling lioness that wakes Her maned lord in the woods, so Draupadi Cast her long arms round Bhima, and so roused : And him addressing, with a voice as sweet As the mid-notes of vina, cried : " Arise ! Sleepest thou now ? or art thou dead, indeed, Suffering that man to live who shamed thy wife ?" Then Bhima, sitting up upon his bed, Enquired, "What would'st thou?" And in whispered wrath The Princess of Panchala told anew Her tale of shame ; and broke to bitter words, Lamenting sore that Yudhisthir should live The King's hired dicer, careless of her fame ; And great Arjuna lay his bow aside To wear armlets and ear-rings, and to sit The women's singing-master ; Sahadev A cowherd in the pens, all weaponless ; And Nakula training horses in the stalls. 254 FROM THE SANSKRIT. " Thou, Bhima's self, defamed to Yallava To cook, cut wood, and fight wild beasts for sport ! Nay, I, the Queen ! " so she went on, " beguiled By Yudhisthira's fault to go in garb Of waiting-woman, live at orders, bear All I have borne, unrighted. See ! these hands Blistered with pounding sandal — hands of one Who never once before in all her life Touched pestle, save for Kunti, now I stand Daily before the door a patient slave Trembling to learn if I have pounded well ! What have I wrought to vex the Gods so much ? It is not meet for me longer to live ! " Then Bhima, weeping, lifted to his face Those tender hands of Draupadi, thus scored With daily toil, and sorrowful replied : " It shames our name, it mocks our strength, to see These dear worn hands ! I would have flooded all With blood, but Yudhisthira's glance forbade. That we dwell here dissembling — that these men Still breathe — sticks like a spear -blade in my heart. Yet grieve not thus ! If Yudhisthira heard, A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 255 Or Arjun, or the Twins, tlicy would not live And I should weary then of living ! Wait ! Bear our fates patiently ! a little more — Half of one moon — and thou art Queen again ! " But Draupadi made answer : " Nay, one day Is all too long ! I cannot wait ! Rise now ! Act, or I die ! The Queen, jealous of me, Aids Kichaka ; and he — when I say ' Fool ! I am the wife of five great Gandharvas, Their wrath will crush thee ! ' — Kichaka replies, ' Small fear have I of thy five Gandharvas, Sweetest Sairindhri ! I can match in fight A lakh of such ! Therefore, too fearful, yield ! ' At that the proud Lord laughs — lustful and rich, Reckless and villainous — and if we wait, This man will seize some chance, and master n Then must I die; then prudence will seem vile ; Then all is lost; with loss of name and fame. Bhima ! with thine own eyes thou did'st see Th' adulterer spurn me. Kill him, dear strong Lord ! Break him to fragments ! shatter him to shards As when a rock crushes a chatty ! Kill ! If he sees one more sunrise I will mix i3& FROM THE SANSKRIT Poison with what I drink, and end : for Death Were better than the arms of Kichaka ! " She flung on Bhima's neck, shedding hot tears ; And Bhima, all to comfort her, spake fair, Wiping the drops away. Then, silent mused, Thinking of Kichaka ; and while he thought He licked the corners of his mouth, made dry By fire of rage. At last he rose and said : " See ! I will do this thing thou askest ! Go, Put by all signs of sorrow : find that man ! The Dancing-chamber which the King hath built By day is used for Nautchnees, but at night Is empty, and a well-carved bed stands there. That is the place where I will send his soul Where those have gone who did begret this doe. Appoint he meet thee there to-night ; but so That others shall not hear nor spy." Pull soon Kicliuka speaks with her — he wandered wide To seek her — saying tins : " I struck thee, girl ! 5 esterday in full Court before the throne. A QUEEN'S REVENGE Now knowest thou well there is no Lord save I "Who a,m the Captain of the troops, and Chief In grey Virata's City. Take me, then ! Have thou for slave the master of this state And I will give thee, Fairest ! servants, car Mules, and a hundred nishkas of red gold. Shall this thins be ? " o Draupadi answered : " Y This thing shall be, sith thou must have if 30; But only if none know — none of thy friends : I am in terror of my Gandharvas. Promise it shall be secret, and I yield ! " c< 01i, thou of loveliest limbs!" quoth Kichak. il Gladly I promise — I am thrall 1" thee ! To what good meeting-place should I repair, Where those — thy dreadful Five — shall nought discern ? Draupadi said: "There is the Dancing Hall Built by the King, where Nautchnees play by day: But leave it free at nights. Thither repair "When the dark falls; my husbands do nol km That spot: we shall be quit of censure the] 1: 258 FROM THE SANSKRIT. But when, apart, she mused those uttered words, That she should speak them, and the hearer live — The afternoon seemed like a long slow moon, So grievous 'twas to await ! And, unto him The watches of that day seemed without end, So was he glad and keen, not knowing Death Had come to call him in Sairindhri dress. Reft of his wits, he plumed himself for love, Embellishing, anointing, tricking out With garlands, perfumes, ornaments — at heart Aye musing on her great dark eyes, her limbs Smooth as banana-stems, her shining hair, And stately step. Like a spent lamp which flares Before the flame dies down, so Kichaka Bore himself brighter, as his proud heart drew Nearer the stroke of Fate. But Draupadi, Beautiful with her wrath, sought Bhima out And whispered : " "What thou badest I have done : Kichaka meets me in the dancing-hall To-night, when darkness falls. He comes alone. Slay him there, Bhima ! Slay him, dear my Lord, Thai hast the mighty arms! Kill this vain fool, A QUEEN'S RBVBNG1 259 Drunk with vile pride. Deal with hi in. Ku on, As doth an elephant with vilva-fruite, So shalt thou stay these tears, and purge my shan Bliima replied : " Thou hast done well ! I craved Nought better than such tidings. Now my soul Is glad again, as when in days bygone I slew Hidimba. Listen ! Here, I swear Bv thine own truth, and bv mv Brother's lives, And by great Dharma, I will kill this wretch As [ndra slaughtered Vritra. Sit at peace! This night his head shall be as vilva-fru.i1 "Whereon an elephant hath trampled ! " So At nightfall, early, having wrapped himself In woman's garb, went Bhima to the I hill. And lay in darkness on the couch, as lies A tiger in the tiger-grass, close-hid, Glaring, expectant till the buck shall pass. Then Kichaka — all trim and scented — lii 2 6o FROM THE SANSKRIT. To the appointed spot, full of his bliss To meet that peerless Queen. He enters in — Gropes in the gloom — this Lord of sinful soul — Feeling his way toward Bhinia on the bed : Toward Bhima, burning fierce with shame and rage- Toward Bhima, huge and dreadful — as a moth Flutters into a flame, as foolish deer Play towards the cheetah's lair. The bed he finds ; Sees in the dark a form, and, smilingly He lisps : " My Fair ! thou with the eyes ! art here ? Know, I have set apart rich gifts for thee ; Jewels and gold, and inner chambers stored With scarlet cloths and carpets ; and a throng Of slaves to serve our sports and pleasures ! Now Come I — thy humble slave ! though women say None is like Kichaka for face and grace ! " Then Bhima from the couch his answering voice Belittled, while lie said : " Fortunate Lord, To be so great and have such praise ! In truth A winning way is thine, aud conquering hands — Come nearer, that I kiss them ! Ah, no doubt, >v()iir can resist so sweet a Lord ! " A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 261 And while Kichaka marvelled at those accents rough, Suddenly started Bhima from the couch Thunderously crying, " Now thou diest, Dog ! Now shall thy carcase roll in dust, and leave Peace to Sairindhris and to us! Therewith Caught he the hair of Kichaka, entwined With flower-wreaths, bent him down, ami seized his neck ; But quick, that Lord, tearing his locks away, Grappled the Pandu Prince. So, fierce they close In deadly strife, as when two lions meet. Or wild bull elephants. Their huge arms rose Like hooded cobras striking ; nails and teeth Eelped hands and feet in the hot conflict. Now One would roll uppermost, another now : For Bhima Hung down Kichaka, but he Slipped from beneath, and hurled bis enemy Back overhand — with crash of joint and bone As when the bamboos crack in hurricanes: But Bhima gripped again, and beat the knees From under Kichaka, so that both fell Locked chest to chest, roaring in wrath, the foam Upon their lips, fire flashing from their eyes, 262 FROM THE SANSKRIT. Raging to slay each other in that gloom. Loud was the noise and clatter of the fight : Till, knitting close his giant arms, the Prince Drew tierlit as-ainst his breast Kichaka's breast, Pressing the life-breath out ; and — waxing strong, As the Adulterer waned—shifted one hand To Kichaka's strained throat, one to his hair, The while with feet and knees he trampled him ; Whereat, o'ercome and helpless, Kichaka Groaned and fell prone — at which the Pandu stamped His body limp, and broke his limbs, and cast The shapeless carcase back, a lump of Death. Thereon Bhima arose, all shaking still With stress of combat, red with blood, and hoarse By cries of rage. " Come hither ! come," said he, " Thou Princess of Panchala ! Witness here What thing it is who wrought to do thee shame." Then Draupadi, lighting a torch, strode in And saw the foot of Bhima planted hard On Kichaka's torn corpse; and how he lay Bloody and broken by the carven bed ; A QUEEN'S REVENGE. 263 Whereon she called the keepers of the Hall, Saying: "Enter! enter! see how Kichaka, Who spurned me, and who sought to shame me, lies Slain by my Grandharvas ! " THE END. PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, II INSON AND CO EDINBURGH AND LONDON. ^ Eowfn Bmol&'s poetical TClorfcs. Just Published. Crown Svo, pp. viii.-264, cloth, price 7s. 6d. LOTUS AND JEWEL. CONTAINING "IN AN INDIAN TEMPL E," "A CASKET OF GEMS," "A QUEEN'S REVENGE." With other Poems. By EDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., C.S.I., &c. &c. '■'■The name chosen by the author of ' The Light of Asia'' for this new volume of verse has reference to the two principal pieces in the work, one called l In an Indian Temple,' and the other rm, much recondite lore and many legends connected with precious stones. '■'■In addition to these two productions, which are of consider- able length, there are various minor poems, with translations from the Sanskrit of Kdliddsa and of the Mahabharata." — Trubner's Monthly List. LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. i Crown 8vo, pp. xiv. and 173, cloth, price 5s. THE SONG CELESTIAL; Or, BHAGAVAD-GITA. (From the Mahdbhdrata.) Being a Discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being, under the form of Krishna. Translated from the Sanskrit. By EDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., C.S.I., &c. &c. Times of India. — " Mr. Arnold has, in fact, presented us with a new poem of beautiful diction and splendid rhythm, as indeed might have been expected from such a master of the intricacies of versification? Morning Post. — "Mr. Arnold has once vioi'e enriched our literature with a treasure drawn from the mine of Indian lore. . . . If ' The Song Celestial ' offers less narrative interest than other works previously translated by Mr. Arnold, it excels them in elevation of to?ie, the effect of which is rendered still more complete by the author's power and grace of diction.'" Liverpool Mercury. — "One feels the better for a booh like this which Mr. Arnold has given us. That fulness of thought and simplicity of presentment which everywhere distinguishes Eastern literature is nowhere more conspicuous than in this admirable translation. The blank verse is strong and yet pliable, easy to read and very musical, clear and yet strenuous.'' Sheffield Independent. — " In Mr. Arnold's translations these exquisite melodies captivate the English ear, and lead one to wonder what they must be like in the Sanskrit text." LONDON : TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE MILL Crown 8vo, pp. viii. and 406, cloth, price 7s. 6d. THE SECRET OF DEATH. (From the Sanskrit.) WITH SOME COLLECTED POEMS. By EDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., C.S.I., &c. &c Morning Post. — "Each new work of Mr. Arnold's shows his style to be as vigorous, his imagination as fertile as ever. He is unequalled as an exponent of the treasures to be found in the rieh mine of Oriental literature. . . . In the first three ' Vallis' or ' Lotus Stems' of the ' Katha Upanishad,' the purest philosophical doctrines are conveyed in a species of parable, full of Oriental imagery and vivid colouring." The Whitehall Review- — " The poem is a great, almost a priceless, contribution to religion, to poetry, and to thought." Illustrated London News. — "He has drawn upon the treasures of Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, French^ and German, for his varied and interesting collections and his touch is that not only of a cunning hand, but of one who feels that respect is due to what he touches." Daily Telegraph. — " Noth ing ca?i exceed the graceful purity, the sympathetic and reverent tenderness, with which ' this lovely lotus-blossom ' is unfolded by its faithful admirer." Globe. — " The story is told with a truly Oriental wealth oj imagery, and is no less vivid in its landscape than subtle in its philosophy." Scotsman. — " Translations and original poems alike g\ proof of a scholarly and cultured taste, and of grace and dignity of diction ; and not seldom of a fne combination of vigour of phrase with delicacy of thought." Morning Advertiser. — " Every poem in the present collec- tion will amply sustain Mr. Arnold's reputation as a writer oj English verse of undoubted originality, versatility, and power." LONDON: TRUBNER &■ CO., LUDGATE HILL. Post 8vo, pp. xii. and 282, cloth, price 7s. 6d. INDIAN IDYLLS. (From the Sanskrit of the Mahdbhdrata.) By EDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., C.S.I., &c. &c. Daily Telegraph. — "Nobody who reads the heart-stirring epics put into magnificent rhythm which are contained in this book can ever again affect to despise the people whose genius established such an imperishable monument." Globe. — " All the idylls are marked by the grace of diction and tenderness of tone which are among Mr. Arnold's leading characteristics, while it needs scarcely to be said that the style is pure and elevated throughout. The imagery, too, is full of force and fire" Fortnightly Review. — "In his recently published volume of '■Indian Idylls' 1 Mr. Arjiold continues his task of interpreting to English readers the tender thoughts and graceful imagery of the East. The volume consists of eight graphic pieces from the 1 Mahdbhdrata,' one of the two colossal and unparalleled epic poems of India, which were not known to Europe even by name till Sir William Jones announced their existence." St. James's Gazette. — " Mr. Arnold has eaten of the lotus- fruit of Eastern song, and finds it hard to leave it. And of this we are far from cojnplaining, seeing that this taste of his has enabled many of us to travel into l realms of gold' which we could hardly enter without some such skilful guide" New York Times. — "The '■Indian Idylls' partake of the same character as his previous works, ' The Light of Asia,' ' Pearls of the Faith,' and others, being deeply imbued with the spirit of Oriental poetry, and having the power of rendering that spirit in English language with a verisimilitude and force which cannot fail to convince the reader of the truth of it: colouring." LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL 4 Crown 8vo, pp. xiv. and 320, with green borders, cloth, price 7s. 6d. PEARLS OF THE FAITH; Or, ISLAM'S ROSARY. Being the Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of Allah (Asma-el-'Husnd). With Comments in Verse pom various Oriental Sources. As made by an Indian Mussulman. By EDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., C.S.I., &c. &c. Times. — "Mr. Edwin Arnold has succeeded in product!, delightful collection of Oriental stories in verse. 1 ' Illustrated London News— (G. A. Sala). — "I am reading Mr. Edwin Arnold's book with intense delight, for the sake oj its majesty and eloquence, its wealth and beauty of imagery, and its sweet and harmonious numbers}'' Daily Chronicle. — " The subject is i>ivested with fascinating beauty by the wealth of Oriental illustrations displayed." Scotsman. — " Mr. Arnold brings to the performance of his task peculiar qualifications — great poetic gifts, broad sympathies, and extensive knowledge of Oriental tongues, ideas, and methods of thoughts Society. — " There is such a delightful imagery and rhyth- mical cadence in every line that it positively thrills one , . feeling of abounding pleasure. The air of pure devotion, the unsurpassable power of description, the inimitable eloquence and wonderful grace, displayed with a lavish profusion, render this work almost peerless" Vanity Fair. — " We cordially recommend this book to those who know the world of Islam and to those who do not. 1 former will be pleased to see in an English dress that which they have admired in its Eastern garb ; the latter will be sur- prised to find how much the Mohammedan traditions resemble those which they have been accustomed to revere both in the Old Testament and the New, and to admire in some of the more solemn portions of the ' Arabian Nights.'" Standard. — "Mr. Arnold has caught the spirit of . Eastern original, so childlike and yet so sage, so simple yet sc profound, so tender in feeling yet so strong in sense." LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. >> 5 Post 8vo, pp. viii. and 270, cloth, price 7s. 6d. INDIAN POETRY: Containing "The Indian Song of Songs," From the Sanskrit of the " Gita Govinda " of Jayadeva ; Twc Books from " The Iliad of India" (Mahdbhdrala), "Proverbial Wisdom "from the Shlokas of the Hitopadesa, and other Oriental Poems. By EDWIN ARNOLD, M.A., C.S.I., &c. &c. Times. — "In this new volume Mr. Edwin Arnold does good service by illustrating, through the medium of his musical English melodies, the power of Indian poetry to stir European emotions. ' The Indian Song of Songs ' is not unknown to scholars. Mr. Arnold will have introduced it among popular English poems." Standard. — " The poem abounds with imagery of Eastern luxuriousness and sensuousness j the air seems laden with the spicy odours of the tropics, and the verse has a richness and a melody sufficient to captivate the senses of the dullest" Overland Mail. — " The tratislator, while producing a very enjoyable poem, has adhered with tolerable fidelity to the original text." London Quarterly Review. — " Mr. Edwin Arnold has bestowed his unquestionable poetic talents on a very worthy 1 'jcct in translating the Sanskrit idyll, ' Gila Govinda* into English verse. . . . * The Indian Song of Songs ' is distinctly a new possession for the lovers of English exotic poetry." Academy. — "// has been reserved to Mr. Arnold to give us such a version as can convey to the European reader an adequate idea of the bcaitty of Jayadevds verse. It is the best yet pub- lished, and is not likely to be soon surpassed." LONDON: TRUBNER & CO., LUDGATE HILL. 6 I2IHO, pp. xvi. nnd 240, parchment, price 3s. 6