:• / 
 
 U '■'
 
 H E E R A, 
 
 A POEM.
 
 HEERii, 
 
 THE MAID OF THE DEKHAN. 
 
 ■*-♦- 
 
 A POEM, 
 
 IN FIVE CANTOS. 
 
 CALCUTTA: 
 
 PRINTED AT THE BAPTIST MISSIOX PRESS, II, CIRCULAR KOAD. 
 
 1822.
 
 5 
 
 TO 
 
 THE MOST NOBLE 
 
 * 
 
 THE MARCHIONESS OF HASTINGS, 
 
 COUNTESS OF LOUDOUN, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Ct)C following )^orm 
 
 ? IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
 
 I— 
 
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 CO 
 
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 BY HER LADYSHIP'S 
 VERY OBEDIENT AND HUMBLE SERVANT, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 ^
 
 TO THE READER. 
 
 The following Poem, the subject of which is taken from Scott's translation of 
 " Ferishta's Histoiy of the Dekhan," was written in the year 1817. — The circum- 
 stances related in the 1st Canto, of the War between Ferose Shaw the Sooltan of 
 the Dekhan, and his powerful vassal Dewul Roy of Bcejanuggur, which occurred 
 about the close of our Fourteenth Ccnturj', differ very slightly from the original ; 
 and the romantic little tale of a Virgin of the Dekhan, and her subsequent for- 
 tunes, also taken from Ferishta, forms with some alteration the gi'ound-work of 
 these pages : but it is to be remembered, that the incidents are drawn from the 
 writings of a Mussulmaun historian, and hence the occasional manner in which 
 the Conquerors of the Dekhan and their acts are adverted to. 
 
 The Geography and History of India being now sufficiently famUiar to the ge- 
 nerality of readers, the Author has rcfra-ned from swelling this little Volume with 
 any Notes of that nature : and the I ndian terms made use of in the course of the 
 Poem, being verj' few, no Glossary of them has been thought necessary. 
 
 CALCUTTA, 
 
 Dec. 31, IS22.
 
 H E E R A. 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
 O'ER mighty Beejanuggiir's walls. 
 
 The light of morn but idly falls ; 
 
 And vainly steals to beauteous day. 
 
 The blush of yonder eastern ray : 
 
 The gold that tints each created shrine. 
 
 With sadden'd lustre seems to shine. 
 
 Like gems upon some victim bride. 
 
 When dotage withers at her side ; 
 
 Or like that light which gilds the brow 
 
 Of Hymalaya's age-worn snow. 
 
 While all is dark and dread beneath, 
 
 A solemn, savage glen of death. 
 
 Ev'n now, from every watchtower's height, 
 
 The opening landscape woos the sight; 
 
 And gazers thence may haply view 
 
 A scene in nature's loveliest hue ; 
 
 Yet vainly ttill tuch prospects rise, 
 
 They gladden not the mourner's eyes : 
 
 B
 
 HEERx\. 
 
 The sentry on the rampart mound, 
 Who slow had paced his solemn round. 
 And eyed the pale red herald star 
 Glimmer in eastern skies afar ; 
 Now marks with pain the morning's streak. 
 And shudders a? he hears the shriek. 
 Or listens to the frantic wail. 
 That floats upon the rising gale. 
 
 For lo ! in Beejanuggur's streets, 
 Unsolaced Grief its bosom heats ; 
 And loathing chides th' approach of day. 
 Which wakens there no cheering ray. 
 Children arise to mourn their sire. 
 Borne down amid the battle's ire ; 
 Parents to weep their offspring's fate. 
 Crushed in the fight's o'erwhelming hate j 
 While citizens but seek in vain 
 Their warrior bands, in battle slain. 
 And call aloud for kinsman, — friend, — 
 To Paynim valour doomed to bend. 
 
 And hark ! from 'midst yon palace walls, 
 A wilder shriek the soul appals :
 
 HEERA. 
 
 Louder it echoes on the ear. 
 
 To tell of keener sorrow near. 
 
 And hear ye ncjt the solemn dirge 
 
 Of death which holy brahmins urge. 
 
 While females' shriller cries ascend. 
 
 And screams the trembling aether rend ? 
 
 And see, from yonder burnished gate. 
 
 In gloomy pomp, in saddes^t state. 
 
 Wind slowly forth a weeping throng. 
 
 Who bear a blood-red bier along : 
 
 And ever as they slowly file. 
 
 And near the stately funeral pile. 
 
 Still sing they : — " Woe, bold Dewul Roy ! 
 
 Where is thy hope — thine only boy?" — 
 
 Mourn, Dewul Roy ! — yes, mourn thy son ! 
 His day is past, — his race is run 1 
 Beneath the fierce assassin's hand. 
 Beneath the daring Moslem's brand. 
 He stricken fell, — a flower of spring. 
 That perish'd in its blossoming ! 
 Go, childless prince, and mourn the while 
 Thy vassals feed the lofty pile. 
 And fires consume the mangled frame 
 Of one thou lov'dst more dear than fame. 
 
 B 2
 
 4 IlEERA. 
 
 Woe to thy heart, thou rebel Roy; 
 No hour of peace shalt thou enjoj'^ ; 
 The Paynim laid thine offspring low. 
 But 'twas thy crime that bade the blow. 
 Mourn on — while I the tale disclose 
 Of thy, and Beejanuggur's woes. 
 
 The Kistna's wave was rough and high. 
 And headlong streamed the current by ; 
 White foamed the torrent on the shore, 
 And far was heard the watry roar. 
 On northern bank bright banners wave, 
 With standards of Feroze the brave : 
 His golden crescents shine on high. 
 And pennons green of Islaam fly. 
 Many a turban'd chief is there, 
 Stedfast in Moslem faiih and prayer. 
 Who leads to war his valiant band, 
 Burning to wield the battle -brand. 
 And hurl defeat on gather'd foes. 
 Who dared their Sooltan's power oppose. 
 Eager the stern Believers stood, 
 And chid full oft the rolling flood. 
 As marked they on the southern banks 
 The Infidels' unhallowed ranks.
 
 HEERA. 5 
 
 And longed impatient to destro}'-. 
 The rebel hopes of Dewiil Roy. 
 
 For tented on that southern shore, 
 Black DeAvul heard the torrent's roar ; 
 Spread to the breeze his ensigns wide. 
 And mai'shaU'd in o'erweening pride 
 His Hindu hosts, who hailed as foes 
 The hated legions of Feroze. 
 The Kistna saw the traitor's bands 
 Uplift in rage their impious hands. 
 With banners far imfurled to view. 
 And triple pennons saffron hue. 
 To challenge madly in the fight, 
 The force of each brave Islaamite. 
 The Rajpoot's veteran arm was there; 
 Th^ Brahmin rushed the fight to share. 
 Invoking Gunga's sacred flood. 
 And thirsting wild for Moslem blood. 
 
 Black was the hue of Dewul's brow. 
 But fairer than his thoughts below; 
 Dark were the glances of his eye, 
 But brighter than his bosom's dye ;
 
 KEEP A. 
 
 For in that bosom dwelt a soul, 
 
 As gloomiest haunt of Ebles foul. 
 
 And yet were some, who said, I ween, 
 
 Not thus had Dewul ever been : 
 
 But he was moulded in that clime. 
 
 Where man can ripen well in crime. 
 
 Like the rank fruit its soil doth rear, 
 
 And trees scarce blossom ere they bear; 
 
 Where murderous hate can linger on 
 
 In secret till its deed be done, 
 
 And like some waters mine its way, 
 
 And but in ruin burst to day. 
 
 In earlier hour — iu life's young prime — 
 
 His slumbering soul nor knew of crime : — 
 
 But soon the Moslem's pmver arose. 
 
 While Dewul numbered with its foes ; 
 
 And one by one his proudest fiefs 
 
 But failed — and fled his mightiest chiefs : 
 
 Then Dewul paid his tribute gold 
 
 In sullen silence ; — but 'tifi told. 
 
 Ere- turned he from th' unequal fight. 
 
 He pau>.ed — to curse the Islaamite ! 
 
 A curse with some is idle breath. 
 
 In sterner minds it clings to death :
 
 IJEERA. 
 
 And his was venom of the breast, 
 Which rankles deepest when represt ; 
 Not the quick flame of sudden ire. 
 Consuming till itself expire. 
 He cursed Feroze — enough that curse j 
 Long years might sanction — not reverse. 
 From that fell hour his soul would brood 
 On vengeance, till it seem'd as food ; 
 And dark became his deeds, and then 
 He fled from fellowship with men. 
 And one lone virtue linger'd near. 
 Like meteor in the midnight air ; 
 Or graven word of Alia beaming. 
 On Moslem's blade from battle streaming : 
 For it was said he loved his son; 
 Yet oft that lo^'e so strangely shone, 
 Tlie youth in terr.jr shunned his sire, 
 And shrunk from ever M^akefid ire ! — 
 
 Unlike his sire that hapless youth, 
 For he was meek — of gentlest truth ; 
 And dear to him the joyous hour. 
 When in the veil'd Zenanah's bower 
 He careless hailed the fleeting day. 
 Far from his parent's ken away.
 
 8 
 
 HEERA. 
 
 The tented field — the warrior's rage — 
 
 Were sad to him, in tender age: 
 
 Far sweeter, 'neath some shelt'ring tree. 
 
 To hear the lute's soft minstrelsy ; 
 
 Or breathe aloud some legend's theme, 
 
 Of love and lover's fitful dream. 
 
 Yet fame would tell, in feat and game, 
 
 The conquering wreath he oft could claim: 
 
 And though, unwarmed by manhood's fire. 
 
 He sought not battl.=^s like his sire ; 
 
 Yet some, who mark'd the brighten'd eye, 
 
 That glow'd at proffered injurj'^. 
 
 Would whisperiu"" say, " The gentle boy 
 
 Was brave — ay^ brave as Dewul Roy." 
 
 But now the Hindu's feast is come, 
 And loudly sounds the d'hol and drum. 
 Throughout black Dewul's festive camp. 
 They nightly hail by glowing lamp. 
 At hour of eve and midniglit watch. 
 Carousal gay, and song and naulch. 
 Ea?h wearied chief who late had heard 
 His vassal's sullen, muttered word. 
 As mourned they oft their fettered might, 
 And sighed to cross and dare the fight 5
 
 HE ERA. 
 
 Like the loosed falcon freed awhile 
 To soar, ere speeds the busier toil, 
 Now gladly could resign his care, 
 The mimic war, the mirth to share ; 
 Or smiled to list the shout and song. 
 That pealed the joyous scene along. 
 
 Sternly aloof, fierce Dewul Roy 
 
 Deigns not to share his people's joy: 
 
 But bids his youthful son partake 
 
 The scene of mirth, and nightly wake. 
 
 Now canvas walls are poised around. 
 
 And gaudiest carpets deck the ground; 
 
 The s^haumeeana raised on high. 
 
 Seems in its breadth another sky: 
 
 A silver canopy is spread. 
 
 In splendour o'er the prince's head; 
 
 Chiefs, nobles, rajahs, circling stand 
 
 With spearsmen, guards — a gallant band; 
 
 And countless lamps, in bright array. 
 
 Rival tlie blaze of noon-tide day. 
 
 Strikes up the lively mundul's sound. 
 
 The syren dancer looks around: 
 
 She veils her dark voluptuous eye. 
 
 Where thousand ambushed beauties lie; 
 
 c
 
 10 
 
 UEV.RA. 
 
 Seems now as dreading to advance, 
 ^nd coyly shrinks from every glancp, 
 Like the yomig favrn that trembling flees. 
 At whisperings of the very breeze; 
 Till gathering like th' enchantress snake, 
 Whose lightning glance illumes the brake. 
 She lifts an eye of liquid fire. 
 To bid the boldest gaze retire. 
 
 But soft begins that damsel's song. 
 And hang upon her words the throng; 
 Her strains would seem each heart to move. 
 For hush ! she breathes a lay of love, 
 And hymns that soul-seducing power 
 Which steals o'er youth's too yielding hour! 
 She paints the soft delirious thrill. 
 The thoughts that lovers' fancy fill; 
 Now breathes, in varied, changeful strain, 
 The tale of slighted passion's pain. 
 And tells the ever maddening sigh 
 Of torment- wreaking jealousy. — 
 B\it hark — she Avhispers now the charm, 
 When hope first stills the soul's alarm; 
 Till in her lay's more joyous scope. 
 As fairer dawns that rising hope.
 
 HSEBA. 11 
 
 She swells her song to blissful theme 
 Of lover's wild tumultuous dream 3 — 
 And only pauses to express 
 The murmured sighs of happiness, 
 Wlien first his beating breast may bear 
 The form which trembling nestles thera! 
 
 The lay had ceased — the song had done; — 
 Tears dimmed the eye of Dewul's son. 
 The nobles marked, and beckoned nijrh. 
 Two players skilled in mimickry; 
 And bade them ape, in antic dance. 
 The Dervis rapt in frenzied trance. 
 Approach'd they, glancing from the eye, 
 A look of feign'd insanity; 
 And quick they muttered holy spell. 
 Such as the Moslem faith betell; 
 Then timing whh their prayer's low sound, 
 Featly they paced it round and round. 
 Till madder rolled their fearful glance, 
 And wilder, quicker whirled the dance ! 
 Convulsions tore each frantic frame. 
 And loud they shrieked great Alla's name; 
 Nor paused they, — each his khunjur drew. 
 Around his head the weapon threw, 
 
 c2
 
 12 HEERA. 
 
 And seemed amid such frantic rage. 
 
 With fiend or demon fight to wage. "" 
 
 The prince and cotirtiers wondering gaze. 
 
 And loudly sound the mimics' praise: 
 
 Yet know they not the wretches' guile, 
 
 Nor dream they of a foeman's wile; — 
 
 For in that mad convulsive dance. 
 
 Swift as the light the twain advance. 
 
 And with a sudden furious lunge, 
 
 Their weapons in the prince they plunge. 
 
 " Ho! treachery! — ho! — foul murder! — death!" 
 Shouted the crowd's accordant breath: — 
 Their cries were lost, for from without 
 Pealed now a louder, fiercer shout; 
 Screams filled the camp — " Hence — hence — Oh fly- 
 '^ Feroze's murderous hosts are nigh!" 
 Ev'n at the word upon the shore, 
 The Sooltan's thronging legions pour: 
 For dread Feroze had sent his spies. 
 In secret plot and deep disguise; 
 He bade them seek the prince's tent. 
 On daring deed of terror bent; 
 There mid the Hindus' festive joy, 
 Poignard the child of Dewul Roy;
 
 HEEPA. ]3 
 
 \Miile he, to seize that fateful hoxir, 
 Invoking loud the Prophet's power. 
 Bade many a liasty raft prepare, 
 The foaniinsj Kistna's tide to dare. 
 
 'a 
 
 Awful tliat scene's confusion dh*e, 
 
 Terrific raged the Payniui's ire ; 
 And oft the tuhvar drank, and deep; 
 And thousands sank to endless sleep. 
 Throughout the troubled Hindu bands. 
 But few could seize the scattered brands; 
 Yet here and there, around some tent, 
 Resistance vain its fury spent; 
 And soiiie would bravely fight and stand, 
 Obedient to a chief's: command; 
 And yet they checked the work of death 
 One moment — one vain pause's breath, — 
 No more, — for cmward rushing still. 
 Like some tornado's whelming ill. 
 The havoc rolled its sanguine flood. 
 Till Kistna's wave ran red with blood! — 
 
 Upon the camp's remotest flank, 
 Stayed by the Roy, a desperate rank 
 Of worsted Rajpoots turn once more, 
 And list the battle's distant roar.
 
 14 HEERA. 
 
 Silent they stand — "Oh, where my boy?" 
 
 Bursts in sad accents from the Roy. — 
 
 None say, — for who shall dare relate 
 
 To him the mm*dered prince's fate? 
 
 " Where, where my son?" he louder cries- 
 
 An awful pause — wo soul replies. 
 
 " Say, wrrtches, 'mid yovu- dastard flight, 
 
 *' Saw none the rajah in ths fight? — 
 
 " Oh, holy Brahma — save my son !" 
 
 He cried, and wild his visage shone. 
 
 As hurrying to the tents again 
 
 He breathless led his rallied train. 
 
 The Moslems meet him— but they face. 
 The flower of Dewul's warrior race : 
 And though their crescents wave on high, 
 In token of glad victory ; 
 Tho' flufhed with late success they stand. 
 Soon falter they before the band 
 Of Dewul's vassals, as amain. 
 They rush the Rajah's tents to gain. 
 'Twas dire the charge; the deathly shock 
 Description's boldest power -would mock. 
 The fire from mingling tulwars flash. 
 And studded shield and corslet clash.
 
 HEERA. 15 
 
 Some scarce may wield th' uplifted brand, 
 So closely wedged the warritjrs standi 
 'Twas then the shorter dagger's steel 
 Made many a heart the death-blow feci ; 
 And many a true Believer's soul. 
 Drinking in death the martyr's bowl, 
 By Infidels' fierce khunjur driven. 
 Sped to its Houri's arms in heave a ! 
 
 Stern Dewul now had reached the tent. 
 Nor long his anxious glances bent ; 
 For Oh ! embathed in murder's hue. 
 The corse appalled a parent's view ! 
 Revenge ! the gasping Roy had ci*ied — 
 Had not his lip the sound denied. 
 He would have rushed the foes to meet. 
 But palsied were his powerless feet; 
 Till groaning, dj'.rkly glancing round 
 He sunk in horror to the ground — 
 And crawled to clasp in blind embrace 
 The lifeless relic of his race. 
 
 " Arise, O Roy !" he cannot hear. — 
 
 Hov/ liread his maniac looks appear! —
 
 16 HEERA. 
 
 Oh! there were mercy in some blow, 
 To break that torturing trance of woe; 
 Yea — there were kindness in the deed, 
 To bid that bursting bosom bleed: — 
 It mui-t not be — nor yet the day. 
 His soul shall quit its mortal clay, 
 To tremble at stern Yaraa's seat. 
 And know the doom that soul shall meet; — 
 Dimgeoned within some reptile frame, 
 So foul, it were unclean to name. — 
 Lo — vassals seize the senseless Roy, 
 While some upbear the bleeding boy; 
 And forming round a desperate thror)g, 
 '• Firm from the tent they speed along. 
 Vainly the legions of Fei-oze, 
 In hosts their gallant steps oppose; 
 In vain strives shield with clanging shield. 
 To Rajpoots' might must Moslems yield: 
 Their cour=e was as the whirlwind's rush, 
 'Twas like the mountain torrent's gush. 
 That plunging o'er some steep profound. 
 Bursts — bears away each rock and mound. 
 And headlong in resistless force, 
 Sweeps maddening to the plain its course.
 
 HEERA. 17 
 
 " Haste — bid my IMoghul veterans brave 
 " On yonder rafts the Kistna's wave!"— 
 The Sooltan cried. — Each loopening raft. 
 Hastes o'er the stream a steed to waft. 
 Ah-eady mounted on the strand. 
 The curb is loose in horseman's hand; 
 As lightning through the camp he scours. 
 And like its bolt the vengeance pours : 
 But all in vain; — tho' stragglers feel 
 The edge of Ispahan's red steel ; 
 Though, writhing with their wounds, around. 
 Some fated victims strew the ground ; 
 Yet, well the Moghiils' pride may swear. 
 That life was never held so dear. 
 Oft had they fought with bold Pj-taun, 
 And warred with Western Mussulmaun ; 
 In Delhi's troubled plains had been. 
 Fell actors mid the fiercest scene ; — 
 Yet vainly to the charge they rush. 
 Repulse now bids each effort blush. 
 
 The shades of night had shrunk away, 
 Before the early eastern ray ; 
 The sun in seeming splendour rose. 
 But soon, at strife of deadly foes, 
 
 D
 
 18 HEERA. 
 
 *Tis said, a dye of deepest red, 
 
 Portentous o'er his visage spread : 
 
 And legends tell, that on that day 
 
 No eye beheld the sullen ray ; 
 
 That many a dense and gloomy cloud. 
 
 Rolled o'er his disk a death-like shroud ; 
 
 And when at eve he sunk again 
 
 Beneath the far — far western main, 
 
 Blood-like an orb descending shewed; 
 
 And o'er each plain and height was strewed, 
 
 And in the wide expanse of sky, 
 
 A spreading veil of fearful dye,— 
 
 As if the day's last setting beam 
 
 Mirrored the battle's sanguine stream. 
 
 Another night — and breathe awhile 
 The Rajpoots from their gallant toil ; 
 For foes around have ceas'd the war. 
 Nor Beejanagur's walls are far. 
 Tho' broken now that band's array, — 
 Yet well they bore the Prince away, 
 iVnd every toilsome danger braved. 
 Till Dewul from the fight they saved. 
 Again they file in gloomy state. 
 To gain the city's outward gate ;
 
 HE ERA. 19 
 
 But Oh ! how changed from that proud host, 
 Which first upreared rebellious boast; 
 How few — the rescued few that come. 
 To speak their bleeding comrades' doom ; 
 Or live to tell the hapless fight — 
 The terrors of that festive night ! 
 
 Not yet had Dewul raised his eye ; 
 He spake no word, nor breath'd a sigh ; 
 ISIurmur'd his lip no whispering moan. 
 Nor gave he yet one feeble groan. 
 'Twould seem he did not feel, nor know 
 His blighted hopes — his son laid low. — 
 N9t feel! — each pang, each rankling sting, 
 That sickening sorrow's hour may wring ; 
 Each agonizing throb of pain, 
 That ever beat in breast or brain; 
 Were ease — were bliss — if but compared. 
 To those the anguished Dewul shared. 
 True, on his wan and livid brow. 
 Sat but one settled look of woe ; 
 And like some idol's rayless eye. 
 His glared as on vacuity : 
 Yet — could you view his inward breast, 
 'Twas there the torture spurned at rest, 
 
 d2
 
 20 HEERA. 
 
 There every fibre racked, until, 
 Outwearied by the whelming ill, 
 It sank : — and then his haggard frame, 
 Like victim's long impaled, became 
 Half torpid: — at each fearful throe 
 It felt — but ceased to writhe in woe. 
 
 They placed him in his palace bower. 
 And watched him through each weary hour- 
 His nobles, who escaped the fight. 
 And fled the slaughter of that night, 
 Ruled for the Roy his Mdde domain. 
 And saw him brooding o'er his pain. 
 But when Feroze's hosts appeared. 
 And round the walls his armies neared. 
 Submission made they — abject, low — 
 To escape the Moslem's menaced blow. 
 Compassion touched the Sooltan's breast. 
 He bade his kindled anger rest ; 
 And deigned to take each proffered gift 
 Of elephant and courser swift ; 
 While many a lovely virgin, riven 
 From dearest ties and home, was given 
 To swell the haram of his train. 
 And quit for e'er her native plain.
 
 HEEP.A. 21 
 
 Perhaps to waste life's springtide year 
 In prison'd pomp and captive's fear ; 
 Perhaps to sigh at faded beam. 
 Of youthful love's too cherish'd dream ; 
 And, loathing on a conqueror's bed. 
 Weep her fond hopes, all wither'd — fled.
 
 HEERA. 
 
 CANTO SECOND.
 
 H E E R A. 
 
 •^ ♦ 
 
 CANTO SECOND. 
 
 THRICE gleaming o'er the city spires. 
 The sultry &un had shed his fires ; 
 Thrice purpling o'er the ruddy west. 
 His setting hour had sunk in rest; 
 Since, proud in spoil, the great Feroze, 
 Turned from the walls of vanquished foes, 
 And homeward sought, in triumph glad. 
 The splendours of Ferozabad. 
 And ere again arose to sight 
 That sun on Beejanuggur's height. 
 An ancient Hindu hailed his ray. 
 As beamed the bright approach of day. — 
 Amid the troubled tide of war 
 Slow had he journied from afar, 
 And grateful to his aged eyes 
 The kindred city's walls arise. 
 O'erjoyed he sought the shelving side 
 Of holy Toongabuddra's tide; 
 
 B
 
 26 HEEBA. 
 
 There, mid the morn's yet early hour, 
 His murmured orison to pour. 
 The river gained, he bent his breast. 
 And cast aside his pilgrim vest; 
 His trembling hands on high he spread, 
 And joined above his aged head; — 
 Then utter'd quick each holy name. 
 That Brahma's attributes proclaim ; 
 And offering made U) hail his power. 
 Of sprinkled wave and herb and flower. 
 He s^tained his breast, and wrinkled front. 
 With mystic signs to Brahmans wont ; 
 This done, the round of worship o'er. 
 Resumed his vest, and left the shore. 
 
 Totter'd his limbs beneath their load. 
 As trod he now the neighbouring road: 
 His bending form, his step cf age. 
 His gui>e of saintly pilgrimage, 
 His humble looks and gesture slow. 
 With blest zenour and painted brow. 
 Bespeak him of that holy race. 
 The elect of Brahma's favoring grace. 
 He sought no food, save root and herb; 
 Nor wilful durst his hand disturb.
 
 HKERA. 27 
 
 At direst peril of his soul, 
 
 The life of insect, beast, cr fowl: — 
 
 His lips must utter ceaseless prayer. 
 
 His? limbs each morn ablution bear; 
 
 And holy fast he mu^t observe. 
 
 Nor once from Veda's tenets swerve : 
 
 Or when liis life-departing breath. 
 
 Shall sigh its last in hour of death, 
 
 His soul unclean must still remain 
 
 In earthly tenement cf pain; 
 
 To breathe perchance in fouler breast 
 
 Of lowly caste, — or pant, unblest 
 
 In reptile form, mid filth and slime. 
 
 That Brahmans e'en to touch were crime. 
 
 His steps had sought each holy shrine. 
 By superstition deemed divine j 
 Whether he climbed the dizzy ghaut, 
 'Mid cavern'd wulds wilh terror fraught; 
 Or weary toil'd hi.-, noontide wa)^, 
 O'er plain unsheltered from the ray. — 
 And he could boast of penance toil. 
 From Lunka, and Ramcssur's isle. 
 To Nas>uck's stream, cr Dwarka's fane. 
 Where Krishna held his hallowed reign ; 
 
 E 2
 
 28 HEERA. 
 
 Or dread Hinglutz, — or distant fi'.r. 
 The snow-girt wave of Munsei'war. 
 Full oft in pilgrim guiae he nought. 
 And bowed at fane of Jusrffurnaut: 
 Or Kassee's ever holy shrines, 
 Where Brahman lore in pride reclines. 
 And he had measured Ganges' course. 
 From Ocean to its snowy source ; 
 Where first from Hymalaya's side, 
 Apart the sister Rivers glide, — 
 So fable tells — around the base. 
 Divided in their infant race. 
 One stealing to the broad champaign, 
 Greeting the soil of Hind's wide plain. 
 There heaves its worshipped wave along, 
 ^Mid homage of the Hindu throng: 
 The other, far in eastern course, 
 Sweeps o'er the Lama's clime its force ; 
 Nor seeks again the sister wave. 
 Till nigh old Ocean's billows rave, — 
 Then, as if seized with coward fear. 
 Nearer it comes, and still more near ; 
 Till mingling with the Ganges' wave. 
 Both rush, a rolling sea, to brave 
 The terrors of the Ocean's roar, 
 la surge, and surf, and foaming b'hore.
 
 HEERA. 29 
 
 But though in seeming saintly guise. 
 The Brahman claimed each honored prize,. 
 Yet worth with him is outward still, 
 Nor goodly thoughts his bosom fill ; 
 His utmost faith, his proudest care, 
 The pilgrim's toil — the muttered prajer. 
 His cheek was furrowed, — Yet each line 
 To keener eye shewed dark design : 
 And soft the accents of his tongue, 
 Wliere strains of virtue ever hung ; — 
 But all was art ; — each honied word 
 Stabbed like the night assassin's sword, 
 When neighbour's weal, or foeman's fame, 
 Stood in the path of Soopol's aim. 
 Yet many a soul his worth believed, 
 And still were better hearts deceived ; 
 For' he was skill'd in Sunskreet lore, 
 An'3 read the shasters o'er and o'er: — 
 At midnight's still and solemn time. 
 He Avatched the stars in heavenly clime ; — 
 Until 'twas rumoured he could state. 
 What changes worldly tides await ; — 
 Could say, when demon shades would come. 
 To plunge the mid-day orb in gloom;
 
 30 HF.ERA. 
 
 Or veil the moon's yet lovelier face, 
 And cast their image o'er her grace, 
 Till, scared by pealing shout and call, 
 Flees from her disk the fiendish pall. 
 Thus skilled— thns false— thus famed of men, 
 Was he who sought vhe city then — 
 And blessed ihe gates that rose before, 
 To tell his tcil and travel o'er. 
 
 Proudly the ramparts rose to view. 
 As ornvard still the Brahman drew: 
 When lo ! by yonder temple's site. 
 He eyed the work of solemn rite ; 
 And hail'd amid its groves a crowd. 
 Whose loud acclaims were echoing load. 
 It was a Suttee's pomp he saw. 
 Revealed in all its harrowing awe ; 
 When widowed youth, in funeral blaze. 
 Ends with her h/rd her fated days. 
 The ready pile was towering high. 
 The lighted torch was flaming nigh; 
 Slowly the thronged procession filed. 
 The trumpet's note was harsh and wild ; 
 And barbarous Hindus deemed such hour, 
 A triumph of their Brahaia's power; —
 
 HEEBA. 31 
 
 Nay, thought that heaven would bless the pyre ! — 
 
 When perished in tha!; murderous fire, 
 
 A victim lovely soft and young 
 
 As ever raptured poet sung. — 
 
 And heaves that victim's breast no sigh 
 
 As stalks the fell procession by ; 
 
 And on that pale, yet beauteous face, 
 
 No sign of sorrow can they trace : 
 
 No fond regret, nor trembling fear ; 
 
 Doth nought of inward dread appear ? 
 
 Each Brahman's pride would answer, Nay — 
 
 But pity weeps and falters. Yea. 
 
 Oh, who could read that woman's heart, 
 
 Nor own its bitter anguished part? 
 
 She dies with him she never loved, 
 
 She bursts ^the ties her heart approved ; 
 
 She leaves — ah, leaves a chosen Youth, 
 
 Whose vows she heard— believed his truth ; 
 
 And dies — too conscious that th? death 
 
 Which steals in flames her latest breath, 
 
 Shall sXiivj: the widowed lover's breast 
 
 With throe for ever — spurning rest. 
 
 And hard his heart who can relate. 
 Nor sigh at hapless Maya's fate :
 
 3'2 HEERA. 
 
 Her parent held the post divine, 
 Of priest at Seva's awful shrine ; 
 Where oft, in gentle spring of years, 
 Arrayed in loveliest maiden fears, 
 His daughter offering-flowrets brought, 
 To pilgrims who that temple sought ; 
 And scarcely rose her bosom's swell 
 The riper hour of love to tell, 
 Ere owned that breast an inmate dear, 
 And she had lent affection's ear 
 To softest, sweetest tales from one. 
 In whom fond youthful passion shone— 
 But — fled this dream of bliss awav, 
 And dark was soon sad Maya's day ; 
 For trembling to the temple came, 
 An aged chief, of withered frame. 
 Whose boundless votive gifts of wealth, 
 Proclaimed his sigh for peace and health: 
 He Maya saw, as from her bower. 
 She coyly culled each mystic flower ; 
 And fired was then his feverish breast, 
 Nor knew the hoary lover rest. 
 Till, from her heartless parent gained. 
 The maid in loathed embrace he straiiied.
 
 HEERA. 33 
 
 Not long the aged chief could prove, 
 How poor the hour of dotard love : 
 For ranked among the rebel foes, 
 Who braved the vengeance of Feroze, 
 He left his young and lovely bride, 
 To seek afar the battle's tide. 
 Amid the fight, an unseen hand 
 Struck to the bridegroom's heart a brand. 
 And hurled him headlong to the ground : 
 But as he fell, — appalling sound ! 
 A savage, phrensy-brealhing laugh. 
 Pealed on his ear in bitter scoff: 
 It told him 'twas no battle foe. 
 That gave the overwhelming blow — 
 He shuddered at th' assassin's yell. 
 And knew his youthful rival well ! 
 His followers raised their bleeding lord. 
 And bore him thence : — he spake no word, 
 But lingering lay— till o'er his cheek. 
 Came death in wan and livid streaky 
 And ere had ceased the vital tide. 
 He motioned that his lovely bride 
 Should seek with him the funeral pyre. 
 And o'er his murder'd corse expire.
 
 34 HEllRA. 
 
 She heard her doom — Her lover came 
 In deep disguise — in guilt, and shame ; 
 And own'd 'twas liis the vengeful blow, 
 That laid the dotard Rajah low. 
 But shrunk slie from his red embrace, 
 And hid from murderer's view her face ; 
 And spurn'd — aye spurn'd — the proffered flight, 
 Tho' lone the hour, and dark the night. 
 Yet, when her fancy drew his heart. 
 Writhing in futur'j ceaseless smart ; 
 And when she sighed, and sighing thouglii, 
 For her the daring crime was wrought ; 
 Oh, then she softened, sobbed, and wept, 
 And stubborn uaforgiveness slept : — 
 She sunk into her lover's arma. 
 And let him wildly clasp her charms ; 
 Till, every other feeling dead. 
 That moment had she with him fled : 
 But — by the lamp's vmcertain light. 
 His blood-staiaed poignard glanced to sight; 
 She saw — unconscious swelled her shriek, — 
 Her handmaids rushed her couch to seek; 
 And holy Brahmans gather^'d there, 
 To sooth her last sad hours in prayer.
 
 HRERA. 35 
 
 All speeding came. — The stranger fled, 
 Despairing — phrensied — worse than dead; 
 Slunk to bewail in distant clime, 
 His fatal love — the fruitless crime ; 
 And rankling in his bosom bear, 
 The hell of ever stinging care ! 
 
 Now are the final rites begim, 
 For gleams on high the eastern sun ; 
 The singhas' sounds are now more loud, 
 More wild the shout of frantic crowd. 
 Pale Maya from her bosom draws, 
 Her richer veil of silver'd gauze ; 
 And gives to loved companions near, 
 The flowrets, once in childhood dear. 
 She lifts one parting glance, — her eye 
 Rests on the temple towering by — 
 It was the scene of youthful h.)ur. 
 Where fled life's spring in joyous bower; 
 Where every moment seemed to move, 
 On Ijlvthest wing of joy and love — 
 She turns away — that deep — deep sigli 
 Betrays her bosom's agony ! — 
 And now she ncars the awful pile, 
 Yet strives to force one parting smile, 
 
 F 2
 
 36 HEERA. 
 
 Or breathe one faint endearing sound 
 To weeping relatives around. — 
 In vain ! — Upon her trembling knee, 
 They place a load she dare not see ; 
 It is her murdered husband's head, 
 Cold — ghastly — wan — its colour fled : 
 And, see the friends, the priests, retire — 
 They raise the torch — the pile they fire ! 
 Desist! — desist ! — such harrowing scene 
 Thrills to the heart in horror keen ; 
 Description fails — racked viaion flies, 
 O God 1 — the victim shrieks — she dies ! 
 
 Hushed were the shouts the crowd among, 
 And slow dispersed the gazing throng ; 
 Now levelled lay the pile's tall frame. 
 And died to nought the smoke and flame ; 
 Save where th' uncertain eddying gust 
 Wafted around the spark and dust j 
 Or when some gently passing air 
 Just fimned the expiring ember's glare. 
 And raised a momentary ray. 
 That fitful gleamed, to die away. 
 Old Soopol left the fatal pyrp. 
 And turned his course to city spire ;
 
 hj:era. 37 
 
 Moving in saintly Brahman's pride, 
 
 To gain the neighbouring rampart's side. 
 
 His callous heart had felt no throe 
 
 Of pity, at the Svittee's woe ; 
 
 To'j oft his ej^e s»;ch rite had seen, 
 
 To moisten at that barbarous scene. 
 
 But now some Brahmans gather near. 
 
 And ask the stranger, " Wherefore here?" 
 
 He straight replies, " I leave your foes, 
 
 " I fly the realm of proud Feroze; 
 
 " And brethren — this niy blest employ, 
 
 " To seek the presence of your Roy. 
 
 " The Kistna saw me since the fight ; — 
 
 " Foul triumph of the Paynim might ! 
 
 " And there I learned of Dewul's child, 
 
 " In foemen's fatal toils beguiled : 
 
 " But tidings now I haste to bring, 
 
 " Shall bid our holiest temples ring, 
 
 " With glory still to Dewul's cause, 
 
 " And honor to our Brahma's laws ! 
 
 " Betell me, brethren, how my feet 
 
 " May gain your Dewul's sad retreat; 
 
 " That I may pour upon his ear, 
 
 " A tale his childless hour to cheer." 

 
 38 HEERA. 
 
 " Brother, thou mayst admission claim, 
 If such, indeed, ihy welcome aim ; 
 And may thy saviour steps be come. 
 To soothe our weeping city's duom! — 
 " But Dewul mourns in secret bower, 
 " Nor wields as wont his sovereign power. 
 " Yet rumour tells, that at our prayer, 
 " He deigns th' approaching feast to share ; 
 " And like yon sun which poured again 
 *' His gathered glory to the plain, 
 *' As marked ye late, he j^rouder broke 
 " From 'midst the Suttee's air-wreath'd smoke ; 
 " E'en thus our Roy shall grace his throne, 
 " The passing gloom of porrow gone. 
 " Till then, oh, Bhae ! thy steps incline, 
 " To sojourn at our holy shrine ; 
 ^' Partake with us our guileless fare, 
 " Our sacrifice and lowly prayer." 
 Meekly the Brahman bowed his head. 
 And with his friendly brethren sped : 
 He tarried and partook each rite — 
 He cursed with them the Islaamite — 
 And spoke of Br?ihma's precepts, taught 
 At holy fane of Juggernaut.
 
 HEERA. 39 
 
 He told them of each distaiU scene, 
 
 Where erst his wandering steps Iiad been ; 
 
 And boasted he of dangers past, 
 
 Of self-inflicted pain and fast : — 
 
 Yet — still returned he vagu'r reply, 
 
 And framed his speech right cunningly, 
 
 If ere their que:>tions haply tin*n. 
 
 His purpose with the Roy to learn : 
 
 It was, he said, of import great, 
 
 Nor could his lip the tale relate. 
 
 Nor dare to ear of nioi'tal own. 
 
 Save only at the prliicc's throne. 
 
 The feast was o'er, and circling sl(*w, 
 la m«;asured pomp of eastern show, 
 The nobles, rajahs, guards surround 
 The Roy, in wonted splendour crowned. 
 But mute they stand, — for still his brow, 
 O'ercast, bespeaks his inward woe. 
 Lo ! trembling, slowly drawing near. 
 In abject guise of doubt and fear, 
 A bending form obeisance paid. 
 And wonted lowly offering made. 
 Scarce deigned the sullen Roy to eye, 
 Th' approach of pale humility : —
 
 40 HSERA. 
 
 It was the Brahman in that hour, 
 Who trembled at the monarch's lower; 
 And falter'd,— " Death to Dewul's foes ! 
 •' Revenge, revenge, on proud Feroze !" 
 
 Started the Roy : — the courtiers ro\md 
 Felt in their breasts the life-blood bound. 
 The Brahman's curse had touched a string, 
 That Dewul's inmost soul could wring; 
 It wakened all his bosom's hell, — 
 Each feeling he would fain dispel. 
 " Ha ! seize that wretch who durst recal 
 " The memory of my offspring's fall ! — 
 *• Who art thou, slave ! whose idle word, 
 " Hath reached me like the Moslem's sword ?"- 
 *' Thou dotard ! — could thy utterance breathe 
 " Curses like ills, my hate would wreathe, 
 *' To whelm the murderer of my child ; 
 " lb it by this my wrongs are wiled? — 
 " Nay — rather let my bosom share, 
 *' Oblivion's dream of black despair ; 
 " Beat with a cold insensate throb, 
 *' To wake no sigh, nor living sob ; 
 " Till with a wild avenging burst, 
 •' My soul may rise, to hail the worst.
 
 HEERA. 41 
 
 " Or lavish on my fallen foe 
 
 " Its sum of hate, — its woe for woe! 
 
 " Then could I think — nay rack this brain, 
 
 " How best prolong my victim'^ painj 
 
 " Poignard his offspring one by one, 
 
 '•' And when the parent writhed alone, 
 
 " Oh — 1 could mark his gleamless eye, 
 
 " His anguished bosom's agonj^— 
 
 " His quivering lips essay a prayer, 
 
 " In mercy one short pang to spare ; 
 
 " While glorying, as these pangs I view, 
 
 " I'd answer by some torment new; 
 
 " And ever — ever still deny, 
 
 *' The blow that deals eternity! 
 
 " Say, slave ! can this thy curses give ? 
 
 " If such thy power — then curse and live : — 
 
 " Reveal each hour my childless daom, 
 
 " That I may pant for bliss to come !" 
 
 The rajah paused — but such the fire 
 Of fiendish and unearthly ire 
 Still flashing from his kindled eye. 
 That horror seized the courtiers by ! 
 The tyrant's burst of hate — so dread — 
 The cause, that hallowed once, seemed fled ;
 
 42 HEERA. 
 
 The very murder of hh son, 
 Their wrongs — defeat, — all, all were gonej 
 And nobler bosoms quailed in fear 
 At form of withering Vengeance there ! 
 Ev'n Soopol shuddered at the view. 
 And oft his searching glance withdrew : 
 For ne'er, on life's frequented path, 
 Had witnessed he such demon %vrath. 
 He speechless stood, — but soon again 
 His tongue pursued its purposed strain ; 
 And thus his words : — " O valiant Roy, 
 ' Thy slave's poor curse can ill destroy 
 ' The mighty spoiler of our land, 
 ^ Who lifts on high his sovereign haTid— - 
 ' And lo ! the gather'd ruin lowers, 
 ' O'er Beejanuggur's hundred towers !— - 
 ' But, Pri«)ce ! I can a tale unfohl, 
 ' To rouse thy soul to vengeance bold ; 
 ' And make the hated tyrant feel 
 ' More torture ev'n than could thy steel 1" 
 
 Stern Dewul heard, and waved assent, 
 Then sat in mute attention bent, — 
 The late wild passion of hii^ breast. 
 Like the calmed deep, had sunk to rest :
 
 HEERA. 43 
 
 Or like the ocean-spout on hio-h, 
 
 Which rears its column to the sky; 
 
 'Till startled nature shrinks beneath 
 
 The o'erpent charge of wreck and death :— 
 
 But lo ! the rushing waters pour. 
 
 The loosened torrents whelming roar • 
 
 And wasted o'er the troubled tide. 
 
 The havoc, din, and ^vrath subside !
 
 II E E R A. 
 
 o » » 
 
 CANTO THIRD.
 
 H E E R ^. 
 
 ■* » 
 
 CANTO THIRD. 
 
 THR brahman's TALE. 
 
 FOUR circling years their suns have shed. 
 Their every varying season fled : 
 As oft along her sacred shore 
 Hath Kistna seen her torrent pour, 
 And menace from her trembling mound. 
 To whelm the late parched scene around ; 
 As oft, receding from the brink, 
 Hath Kistna seen her waters sink. 
 And glide again in lowly bed, 
 Till islet sand upreared its head ; — 
 Since I, a pilgrim, wandt-red forth, 
 To bow at shrines of distant nortii. 
 And I these shrines remote had souijht. 
 In humblest penitential thought ; 
 For well I knew that mortal life. 
 The prey of woe, and guilt, and strife,
 
 48 
 
 HEERA. 
 
 Is ever stained with foulest sin ; 
 
 And he who Brahma's lov? would win, 
 
 Must cleanse his heart at holy fane, 
 
 Tho' toils his way 'mid grief and pain. 
 
 1, fearles"-, pas;3ed each mountain ghaut, 
 
 And weary travel held at nought, 
 
 Till, gained at length the Ganges' side. 
 
 Upon my vision burst the pride 
 
 Of Kassee, as she towered on high, 
 
 In all her sacred majesty. 
 
 Tall o'er the deep calm wave she stood. 
 
 Her domes dark frowning on the flood; 
 
 While oft some temple's airy brow. 
 
 Reflected in the stream below. 
 
 Gave added grandeur to the scene. 
 
 Yet lent her pomp a lighter mien. 
 
 Assembled myriads on the shore 
 
 Their vows to Brahma murmured o'er. 
 
 As pi'oudly o'er the hallowed tide 
 
 A thousand barks were seen to glide ; 
 
 And far as gazing eye could reach. 
 
 Palace and fane o'erhunff the beach. 
 
 My Teerut'h o'er, I bless'd the day 
 When homeward turned my gladdened way ;
 
 HKERA. 49 
 
 And far from each late worshipped fane 
 
 1 sought in peace raj^ native phiin. 
 
 For though, alas ! the Moslem wields 
 
 His empire o'er my fated fields; 
 
 Yet — dear the promised sight c;f home, 
 
 To eyes that ev'n have wept to roam. 
 
 The hour was hot — the sun was high 
 
 In bright meridian summer sky. 
 
 As rising on the prospect glad, 
 
 I viewed afar Ferozeabad ; 
 
 But distant still its turrets seem, 
 
 And cloudless fell the o'erpowering beam. 
 
 Sinking beneath its sultry heat, 
 
 1 turned to seek some cool retreat, 
 
 To rest my frame, till evening hour 
 
 Should tempt me from the friendly bower : — 
 
 But M'eak my steps, — in age and toil. 
 
 They faltered o'er the burning soil, — 
 
 And ere the wishe^-for grove could gain, 
 
 Senseless I swooned upon the plain. 
 
 Bending in lovely angel form. 
 Such as the Moslem's visions warm 
 Can give his fabled paradise, 
 A virgin met mine opening eyes. 
 
 H
 
 50 
 
 HEERA. 
 
 My wilder'd glances wondering rove, 
 
 I find myself in thickest grove, 
 
 And think it still some dream of night. 
 
 That conjures shadows to the sight j 
 
 For never — never yet on earth, 
 
 Had fancy given such beauty birth. 
 
 Prince ! my withered breast is old j 
 There beats within a tenant cold; 
 
 1 deemed that boL-om's feeling past, 
 
 I thought it chill'd as northern blast: — 
 
 Oh, 'tis not thus — for still I gazed. 
 
 And still my wistful look upraised 
 
 In adoration to the maid, — 
 
 As if my prayers to heav'n were paid ! 
 
 The ringlets on her white brow wreathing, 
 
 Were trembling in the wind's soft breathing; 
 
 As if to chide the playful air. 
 
 That fanned ihem from Ihe beauty there: — 
 
 And she was yet a child — so, young, 
 
 That scarce twelve summers had her tongue 
 
 Been taught lO murmur Brahma's name. 
 
 From loveliest lips His power could frame. 
 
 '^ Poor aged pilgrim," sighed the child, 
 *' Thy looks are pale — those glances wild :
 
 HEESA. 51 
 
 '^ My cries had warned yon travellers twain ; 
 
 " They raised thee from the burning plain, 
 
 *' And bore thee senseless to the shade, 
 
 " And here their aged burthen laid. 
 
 " I anxious watched — you woke not soon — 
 
 *^ How lon<^ and fearful was the swoon ! 
 
 *' Bat pilgrim rest — here rest this day, 
 
 *' Nor tempt again yon sultry way." 
 
 I grateful rose — slie led my feet. 
 
 Thro' p;>ths close sheltered from the heat ; 
 
 And gained we soon her parent's home. 
 
 That towered amid the leafy gloom ; 
 
 In shaded pomp of oldea time. 
 
 And fashion of our hallowed clime, 
 
 Ere jet the Paynim's daring hand, 
 
 Had spoiled our lost — too lovely land. — 
 
 In its zenanah's deep recess. 
 
 She sought her aged sire's caress ; 
 
 And whispered, that from garden bower. 
 
 Where strayed her steps in sultry hour. 
 
 She marked a form of age and pain. 
 
 Faint, weary, sinking to the plain ; 
 
 And s'>e had lured the pilgrim here. 
 
 To taste in peace their proffered cheer. 
 
 n 2
 
 52 HEKRA. 
 
 "Rajah, I Avill not waste thine hour, 
 'Mid duller scenes of peaceful bower : 
 Enough, that years I tarried there, 
 To me assigned the pleasing care, 
 The youth and opening mind to frame 
 Of Heera — such that maiden's name. 
 Her parent, one of warrior-birth, 
 A Rajpoot — famed for mightiest worth. 
 In early youth had left his land. 
 To meet afar the Moslem's brand : 
 Now aged, rich in battles' spoil, 
 He sought unmarked his native soil ; 
 Where turretted in pomp arose. 
 The upstart city of Feroze ; 
 And lived in wealth his arm had won, 
 To dream of deeds in battle done. 
 His child, his age's chiefest care. 
 Beamed on his view like being fair, 
 That Brahma in his mercy scntj — 
 A thing so pure, — so innocent, — 
 And oh, so mingled with each thought, 
 " Each vision his affection wrought, 
 She seemed a portion of his soul. 
 Released ere life had reached its goal.
 
 HEEPA. 53 
 
 To fill its destined form of light, 
 And bless pre-doomed his living sight. 
 
 Thrice summer waned — yet Ileera srevr 
 Fairer as still the seasons flew. 
 And sparkled, blythsome, in her eye, 
 The careless smile of infancy ; 
 Nor then her breast had learned to share, 
 Those thoughts, that in a forr.i so fair. 
 In heart so soft, must soon be known. 
 As childhood's lighter hours are flown. 
 But soon were moments, 1 could see, 
 When Heera lull'd her wonted glee ; 
 
 When, rapt in thought, or listless inoorl, 
 
 She sought the calm of solitude : 
 
 And I have followed, and unseen, 
 
 Amid the depth of foliage screen. 
 
 Have marked her rising bosom beat. 
 
 In impulse of emotion swe.^t, 
 
 That seemed to say, her fancy gave 
 
 A visioned being, fair and brave, 
 
 With whom to rove in some new scene 
 
 Of seraph joy, and endless green !
 
 54 HEERA. 
 
 Yes, well these pilent signs could prove. 
 That Heera's heart was formed for love. 
 The wild bird warbling on the bough, — 
 The flowret svveel, scarce seen below j — 
 Th'^ stilly hour, when evening breeze 
 Slept sighles> in the shadowy trees ; 
 And, through some neighbouring forests glade, 
 The broad red moon her blush betrayed. 
 As rising on the starry sky, 
 She led her lovely course on high ; 
 And grew more pallid, but more bright, 
 As spread tha solemn hues of night : — 
 All this could He;:?ra's feelings warm. 
 And win her soul to mystic charm ; 
 Till sighs alone might dare reveal 
 The thoughts she felt, nor blush' d to feel. 
 
 Beside their home's secluded tower. 
 Bloomed wild a citron's fragrant bower j 
 And deep within its lonely shade 
 Loved to recline the gentle maid : — 
 There wake her lute's soft dulcet note. 
 Till seemed on trembling air to float 
 The breathing strains of heavenly lay. 
 Such as voluptuous Moslems say
 
 HEERA. 55 
 
 Come stealing from their heaven ahove. 
 
 To lure the parti-jg soul to love. 
 
 It chanced — I know not how, in sooth 
 
 These strains were heard by stranger youth : 
 
 For boon some bold unhallowed feet 
 
 Had daring sought our lone retreat ; 
 
 And Heera found beside her bower, 
 
 A half blown rose, — love's message flower; — 
 
 And blushed its hue, to think what youth 
 
 Could venture thus to plight his truth. 
 
 And 3^et, I ween, she kept that flower, 
 Prized it each long, each lonely hour : 
 She viewed its leaflets withering die, 
 As fled the fiiding moments by ; 
 And cherish'd well the idle theme 
 Of joy, and faith, and lover's dream ! 
 Her fancy raised a phantom youth. 
 In all the glowing guise of truth ; 
 In every fairer hue of worth, 
 That maiden fond can picture forth : 
 Such as the virgin can impart 
 To first loved inmate of her heart ; 
 When young romantic visions blind 
 The wakening feelings of the mind ;
 
 56 HEERA. 
 
 And all her bosom owns the power. 
 Of early love's too witching hour. — 
 She little \hought, the flowret's leaf 
 Brought, as it died, a tale of grief; 
 And told, that like the gathered rose, 
 Love for a moment sweetly shows- 
 It blooms, and dies -.—while hopes so bksr, 
 That blossomed gaily o'er the breast, 
 Soon one by one flit far away; 
 As on the sapless stem decay, 
 And fall the parting leaves around, 
 All withering, scattered to the ground 1 
 
 One morn the clang of horse's hoof, 
 Loud echoed round our ancient roof; 
 And broke upon the damsel's ear. 
 As in the grove she wandered near. 
 She fearful turned,— but fled in vain, 
 Nor yet the haram wall could gain. 
 Ere dashed a youthful horsemati by, 
 And Heera met that stranger's eye. 
 Costly and rich his steed's array, 
 And crimson were the housings gay; 
 And splendid shone the rider's dress. 
 Such as would Omra's rank express.—
 
 HEERA. 
 
 He turned, and with a sudden bound, 
 Featly he lighted on the ground; 
 And slow, in courteous grace advanced, 
 As on the maid his dark eye glanced. 
 
 A robe of gauze her form arrayed — 
 The graceful veil of eastern maid; 
 But half concealed each feature's charm, 
 And faintly hid her soft alarm : 
 But when at lengtli, she raised askance 
 A timid look, a stealing glance — 
 Swift from the youth's glad piercing eye. 
 There seemed a messenger to fly. 
 That spoke to Heera's bosom more. 
 Than countless tales of love could pour. 
 It told her — whose the message flower, 
 That shed its fragrance on her bower ; 
 While crimsoned deep the conscious flush 
 On Heera's cheek, in softest bluah ; 
 And trembling, faltering, fled her feet. 
 Far to the haram's still retreat. 
 
 I saw the youtliful alrauger'a brow, 
 Mantle awhile with deeper glow; 
 
 57
 
 58 HEERA. 
 
 His black eye beamed a look of fire. 
 Hit joyous crest rose bolder, — higher : 
 One wistful parting-glance he flung, 
 As swiftly on his steed he sprung ; 
 Already could the courser feel, 
 The urging of the horseman's heel, — 
 Already bounding o'er the plain, 
 The cily spires he seemed to gain ; 
 Till lost upon the fading view. 
 My wondering glance I slow withdrew. 
 Deep pondering who that stranger bold. 
 Who thus his hateful purpose told; 
 Nor feared to taint, with Paynim eye. 
 The very haram's purity. 
 
 Some passing moons unheeded flew. 
 Nor of that stranger aught I knew. 
 When, — woe the night ! — I restless lay, 
 And longed for the approach of day. 
 Sudden I hear at midnight hour. 
 Soft whispering sounds in Heera's bower. 
 The Bulbul's nightly song is done. 
 The moon's mild light is sunk and gone ; 
 But fair along the middle heaven, 
 The pallid circling zone is driven.
 
 HEKBA. 59 
 
 Now all is hushed ; — but hark, again, 
 'Tis sure the sigh of Lovers twain, 
 In converse sweet. — 'Tis Heera there — 
 But who shall thus these moments share ; 
 Or fearless tempt the haram's shade. 
 To seek the love of Hindu miiid ? 
 
 'Twas he — 'twas he — that stranger youth — 
 My fears were just — 'twas he, in sooth : — 
 Vile Moslem wretch !---in hour of night, 
 I knew him by his turban's height. 
 As on its crescent seemed to play, 
 A transient gleam from starry ray. 
 Secret 1 glided to the grove. 
 To blast the vile iatruder's love ; 
 And as the dari.ig youth retired, 
 I seized his robe, by anger fired ; 
 I seized, and shouted loud for aid. 
 And strove to snatch the stranger's blade. — 
 " Desist, rash fool! — thine hand unclasp!" 
 He cried. — " Unloose such idle grasp, 
 " Or dread mine arm !" — The dastard boy- 
 May withering blight that arm destroy ! — 
 Struck me, — aye, struck me to the ground, 
 And fled my grasp with instant bound. 
 
 I 2
 
 60 HSERA. 
 
 But oh ! may every baneful ill 
 Deep in his Paynim bosom thrill ; — 
 ' May Kallee'b worst relentless hate, 
 For ever on the wretch await, 
 Who, humbling low a Brahman's worth. 
 Could strike, — and spm-n him to the earth. 
 
 Yes— yes, the Moslem wretch may dare, 
 Unhallowed slave, his arm nprear 
 Against a Brahman's sacred form, 
 And mock awhile the gathering storm ;— 
 But if on earth revenge be near. 
 That wretch shall retribution fear !— 
 Rajah, methinks, the tale were long, 
 To tell of black, tumultuous throng 
 O thoughts, fierce boiling in the breast, — 
 Of anger's sleepless scorpion pest : 
 Suffice, at once, to say— I bowed 
 At Kallee's shrine, and fervent vowed, 
 To wage interminable hate. 
 Till death should seal its victim's fate ! 
 
 Her parent, whom my shout had called, 
 Came breathless, at the cries appalled. 
 But low 1 hid my burning face. 
 Nor deigned to own my foul disgrace
 
 HKF.FA. 61 
 
 To mortal ear. — 1 taunting saisl, 
 " Go, seek thy Heera, spotless maid ! — 
 " Go, seize her midnight paramour." 
 Then rose. — My pride would deign no more ; 
 I fled the j^Yove, yet reckless where. 
 The slave of daily hate and care, 
 Till — blessed my search — I met the form, 
 Of him who Avaked my bosom's storm. 
 1 saw him, big in pomp and pride. 
 With guards and horsemen by his side ; 
 And deep the throng that round him prest. 
 Or this poor arm had reached his breast. 
 O Roy 1 to know that Moslem's name. 
 Thy joyous soul will burst to flame. 
 But, 'tis not meet that every ear. 
 The youth's proud parentage should hear ; 
 Or what the spell, like meteor star. 
 Revealed amid ihe gloom afar, 
 Can guide me on to purpose blest. 
 To give thy wrongs revenge and resit. 
 
 — *"♦-'» — 
 The Brahman paused : — stera Dewul's eye, 
 Glanced on the guards and nobles by : — 
 They marked that glance; and slow withdrew, 
 With meet salam, the courtier crew.
 
 62 HEKRA. 
 
 Yet deemed it strange — and wondered they, 
 
 That Dewul sat to list that day, 
 
 An idle tale of maiden love. 
 
 And Lovers' hour, in distant grove. 
 
 But yet had Dewul little heard. 
 
 The Brahman's tale and well-conned word. 
 
 He sat abstracted, as a man. 
 
 Who seems awhile dark thoughts to scan ; 
 
 Or, ever and anon, his eye 
 
 Would change to glare of apathy, 
 
 'Mid pause of feeling undefined. 
 
 That morbid slumber of the mindj 
 
 And leaden torpor of the brain. 
 
 Such as s^ucceeds the first wild pain. 
 
 From venomed fang ; the torture fled, — 
 
 Yet throbs the wound, benumbed and dead. 
 
 The wary guardsmen, ranged without. 
 Gave many a wondering look of doubt. 
 Sounds reached the ear ; — then sudden pause ; — 
 Nor guessed their minds the fearful cause. 
 What passed within no soul could tell ; 
 But soon there pealed a sudden swell 
 Of wild delight, of boisterous joy, 
 In loude-st accents from the Roy.
 
 HEERA. 63 
 
 As listeners heard his converse high, 
 In flow of curbless extacy. 
 Full well they guessed, the Brahman told 
 Some secret tale of import bold ; 
 That like the living spark applied, 
 The matchlock's teeming womb beside, 
 Can give the sleeping mischief birth, 
 Till kindled, sweeps the ruin forth. 
 
 Hark ! from the Prince a loud command 
 Summons the Leader of his band. 
 The Roy is now in close divan, 
 Secret and deadly plot to scan. 
 Its purpose known to few. — That night, 
 When rose the moon o'er tower and height, 
 The sentry at the barrier's side. 
 Saw, from the city-portal, glide 
 A silent host of horsemen bold, 
 Who northward seemed their course to hold i 
 While footmen speeding with the throng 
 A curtained litter bore along. 
 No tenant filled that litter then. 
 Nor could the silent warder ken. 
 Why moved the band so secret by. 
 In guise of purposed mystery.
 
 64 HEERA. 
 
 But ere the morrow's sultrj^ hour 
 Had drunk the dew frf)m herb and flower^ 
 Full many a Cassid and Vakeel, 
 Presses I on his courser's side the heel ; 
 And urged his way o'er hill and plain, 
 To summon Chiefs from each domain, 
 Who round old Beejanuggur's tower, 
 Bowed to the holy Brahma's power. 
 
 And Dewul's woe of heart was gone, 
 Nor wailed he now his murdered son : 
 Upon his brow there sat a smile. 
 Presaging more than mortal wile ; 
 And thoi-e who knew these symptoms well. 
 In clustering groups their thoughts would tell ; 
 And whisper, — that his dagger's hilt. 
 Seemed ready grasped in dream of guilt ! 
 Yet who had marked such scowling eye. 
 Nor weened that foul revenge was nigh ? 
 Or who had .seen his clenching hand. 
 Wielding in murderous thought a brand — 
 His quivering lip — his gnashing teeth, — 
 His sword scarce slumbering in the sheatli, — 
 And not have known, the Rov decreed 
 A more than common foe to bleed ?
 
 HEERA. g- 
 
 Nor sat he now in haram shade 
 
 'Mid gloom of sorrow's wan parade ; 
 
 But busy, on the ramparts all, 
 
 He strengthened well each mouldering wall, 
 
 And Beejanuggur heard once more 
 
 Rebellion's taunt in hapless hour.
 
 H E E R A. 
 
 CANTO FOURTH.
 
 H E E R A. 
 
 * ♦ 
 
 CANTO FOURTH. 
 IT was that hour of Eastern clime. 
 When Nature wakes each thought sublmic ; 
 When, softly veiled in starry dress 
 Of night's majestic loveliness, 
 She spreads along the deep blue skv. 
 Her half-illumed obscurity: 
 And scatters, 'mid her groves below, 
 Her insect swarm of meteor glow; 
 Revealing from each b(nigh at night 
 A thousand winged gems of light ! 
 The sultry winds had died away, 
 As fied the parting gleam of day ; 
 And breath of gentlest zephyrs came, 
 In wliii-pering sighs to fan the frame. 
 It was that hour when on some tree. 
 The Bulbul poured its melody, 
 And trilled a sweet and artless strain, — 
 A seeming lay of inward pain,
 
 70 
 
 HEEPA. 
 
 As if it sang the joyless fate 
 Of widowed love, and absent mate : — 
 Or, in a fretful, wilder theme, 
 Chided the night-orb's silver beam. 
 That ever with the breeze's play. 
 Flung thn/ its bower intrusive ray. 
 The hour was come, — when in the grove, 
 A thousand wafted odours rove ; 
 When, hid from view, the virgin rose 
 Her softest sweets around her throws; 
 And blushes at the love-fraught sigh 
 Of zephyrs, as they wanton by ; — 
 Yet freshens, in that evening scene. 
 Where she may shrink, an i blush unseen. 
 
 In solemn, shadowy grandeur clad. 
 The turrets of Ferczeabad, — 
 The recent pride of Moslem reign, — 
 Rise dimly o'er the distant plain. 
 Now golden spire, and ponderous dome, 
 Alike are veiled amid the gloom ; 
 Save where, upon some tall minar. 
 The rising moon-beam gleams afar, 
 Or yon pale crescent, glistering bright. 
 Reflects a mimic silvery light.
 
 HEER\. Jl 
 
 III such a scene, and soothing hour, 
 
 Advancing from yon latticed bower. 
 
 An angel form hath sought the gro^e, 
 
 Slow stealing on the step of love. 
 
 But hark — she startles, — a^ the sound 
 
 Of distant nobut peals around ; 
 
 And wondors whence such triumph comes : — 
 
 For tho' she hears the festive drums, 
 
 Yet darkness o'er each turret falls, 
 
 And shrouded lie the viewless walls. 
 
 But swells more loud the nobut now, 
 In peal of deep contiuuous flow. 
 It tells of glorious battle w^on, 
 It tells of deed of valour done ; 
 While spreads around exalting joy- 
 In triumph o'er the vanquished Roy. 
 Gleams now the lamp, and glaring torch. 
 O'er each minar and musjid's porch ; 
 For they, who late on Kistna's side. 
 Had foiled the mighty Dewul's pride, 
 Were now returned to native plain 
 To boast their haughty foemcn slain. 
 But lo ! — again the thouts are o'er. 
 The nobut's peal is heard no more :
 
 72 
 
 HEERA. 
 
 Nor loud acclaim disturbs the air, — 
 For, — hush, — it is the hour of prayer ! 
 Silenced are now the festal crew, 
 And hasten the Believers true 
 To gain the mosque, in pious crowd, 
 And wake their " Bismillahs" aloud. 
 
 And who in yonder grove had been. 
 And marvelled at the triumph's scene ? 
 Had marked the flaming torches lio-ht 
 Till seemed to flee the shades of ni<rht • 
 Till, rising to the distant eye, 
 BiH'st into view each turret hio-h. 
 And bright was spire, and mosque, and dome. 
 Late loit amid the fallen gloom ?— 
 Ar)d M-ho had hearkened to the cries. 
 And shouts, that echoed to the skies? 
 Had listened to the trembling gale. 
 That bore the peals from hill to vale ? 
 Who, now, had marked that triumph cease, 
 Till all was hu.hed in prayer and peace ? 
 
 Fair— fair— the maid who ^hw that scene. 
 And stood afar,-like angel mien
 
 HEERA. 
 
 Of Houri, as it waits to sooth, 
 
 Some soul in Irem's bower of youth! 
 
 Oh, she was fair, as softly fair 
 
 As those light clouds which float in nil-,— 
 
 Ere, blushing o'er the eastern sky. 
 
 The first young tints of morning hie, 
 
 And yet the paler orb of night 
 
 Can tinge with purest, loveliest light ! 
 
 The dark braid parted on her brow, 
 
 Gave fairness e'en a briijhter sflow : 
 
 While faintly blushed her virgin cheek ; — 
 
 But, Hafiz! e'en thy lay were weak, 
 
 To hymn the bud-like, coral lip, 
 
 Where Love might heavenl)- rapture bip, 
 
 For ever breathe in bliss the soul. 
 
 And quaff the martyred Paynini's bowl ' — 
 
 Oft from her large and brilliant eye, 
 A thousand fancies seemed to fly ; 
 Ofc on her features danced a smile, 
 Blooming in every playful wile. 
 Till laughing graces mantled gay, 
 In woman's witching — own array! 
 Yet then, cv'n then, a thought could steal 
 Upon her :c.ul, and bid it feel 
 
 73
 
 74 HEERA. 
 
 Some all resistless mystic glow, 
 
 To check her spirits' wilder flow. 
 
 Then her bright glance was chastened o'er. 
 
 Veiled then her eye-lash iiiore and more ; 
 
 Those orbs of love — which late oo bright 
 
 Had shone, as noon-tide stream of light, — 
 
 Were now more like the lotus flower, 
 
 When summer dews have gemmed it o'er. 
 
 To veil each brighter tint from "view, 
 
 Yet shrine it still in lovelier hue. 
 
 In hocr like this, when feelings stole. 
 
 When sighs revealed her secret soul. 
 
 Celestial then each feature grew, 
 
 Till all evinced emotion new : — 
 
 Ah, what that soft emotion told. 
 
 Dull icy hearts can ne'er unfold ; 
 
 It pictured not of grovelling earth, 
 
 'Twas love — 'twas heaven that gave it birth. 
 
 Love — thou sweet phantom of the breast. 
 Thou dream by wayward fancy blest. 
 Thou vision in the hour of youth. 
 When swells the heart with hope and truth ;- 
 There breathes a magic in thy name. 
 To fan the lowly Bard to flame . —
 
 HEKRA. 75 
 
 He joys of virgin hour to speak, 
 T.) paint the hue of vermil cheek ; 
 To hymn the sigh that stolen breathes. 
 The flowery chain that beauty wreathes : 
 Yes — such is still the favorite iheme 
 To lyre of Bard, in minstrel dream ! 
 Yet, — woe the haple.ss youth wlio dare, 
 Such raptured strain too frequent share ; 
 For soon his softer heart, betraye«:l, 
 Becomes the prey of heartless maid ; 
 Who lists his lay with seeming smile, 
 While lurks a biuer, secret wile, — 
 To leave her victim vision-led. 
 Till, M aked to truth — his peace is fled ! 
 
 But why does Heera turn around. 
 As listening 'breathless to some sound ? 
 Why beats her bosom wildh^ now ? 
 Why burns her cheek in warmer glow? 
 F<>nd girl — no footsteps reach the ear. 
 Thy hope was vain — no soul M'as near. 
 Bvit quick is love — hark, hark again ! 
 Echoes a tread on distant plain ; 
 Nearer, — still nearer, — scarce aloof, 
 Peals the glad sound of horse's hoof: — 
 
 l2
 
 76 HEERA. 
 
 How quick is love ! — no rubtling wind 
 \^'afts disappointment to the mind ; 
 But sv/ifter than the torrent's tide, 
 A youth has gaired his Heera'fe side : 
 Already, clasped to lover's breast, 
 The panting, blushing maid is blest. 
 
 There is one joy on earth below, 
 \\ Inch Heaven in mercy can bestow ; — 
 A lone Acacia in its bloom. 
 Where life's lung deserts stretch their gloom. - 
 And there ars mometitb of the heart, 
 So pure, of man they bear no parr. ; 
 But free the soul fnm earthly tye. 
 To meteor flight of extacy. 
 Till mind, — thought, — feeling, — all are driven, 
 Far on the seraph wiugj of heaven ! 
 Would duller hearts that bliss enquire ? 
 Let the young lover seize his lyre — 
 Go — bid hiiu sing of woman's charms. 
 Of maid, fir?t clasped in circling arms ; 
 Wliile thoughts of meaner passions' iJAvay, 
 Fly from the healing breast away, 
 And all is love — love, p\n-e as wild ; 
 The blushing rose, of thorn beguiled ! —
 
 HEERA. 77 
 
 Too blest — it lives not, — but the beam 
 Can linger hallowing, when the dream 
 Is pas'" : — still, like the flower, it lies 
 All withered — and tio sweetness dies ! 
 
 Yes, snch the joy that beauty gave, 
 When pressed to sold of Aeimed brave. 
 And such the feelings thrilling then, 
 In him the happiest far of men. 
 Yet, worthy was that fond embrace 
 To clasp each softer maiden grace ; 
 And well the youth who revelled there. 
 Such hour of raptured bliss might share : 
 His bold heart beat in noblest form. 
 His dark eye as his bosom warm ; 
 His deed in war like lion's wrath. 
 Yet lure his step to peaceful path. 
 Oh, then a more than mildiess seemeij, — 
 A rciy of warmest feeling beamed 
 From glistening eyes of love aud light. 
 Mild as the dew-gem — yet asj bright. 
 
 His Sire, the firtt of chieftains famed, 
 Ferose's kindly love had claimed,
 
 7H HEEBA. 
 
 For gallant aid, on field of fight, 
 And many a war-won honor bright. 
 At frontier, and beside the throne, 
 That sire's, devoted faith had shone ; 
 Till now his brand could proudly wave, 
 Omra — of twice three thousand brave. — 
 Such was the tale of Ahmed's tongue. 
 When Heera fondly listening hung. 
 And questioned she her lover's life, 
 So young — yet trained to warrior strife. 
 She listened oft to glowing tale 
 Of battle's tide, when hosts assail ; 
 And wondered still the enquiring maid. 
 That one so fond, could bare his blade ; 
 Or turn with proud confess'd delight. 
 To fearful scene of mingling fight. 
 And oft the maiden deemed it strange. 
 That 'mid their hour's endearing range ; 
 Her Ahmed late ne'er told of home. 
 But loved to other themes to roam ; 
 While there were symptoms of constraint, 
 And mystery, that no words could paint; 
 A nameless semblance of disguise, — 
 Yet seen too well by lover's eyes, —
 
 HEKRA. 79 
 
 That came to wring the maiden's heart. 
 And w:iken there unwelcome smart. 
 And she woukl mouvii in h)nelv strain, 
 i\nd weep at self-inflicted pain, 
 That lured hy love, and stranger's worth, 
 She wronged her Sire, her very birth ; 
 And smiled upon a Paynim's M'orth, 
 Whose very faith was vile on earth ; 
 Nay — ^^dread to think — by Brahma driven. 
 An outcast from eternal heaven ! — 
 But, hush ! what steals upon the gale? 
 What gently whispering strains prevail ? 
 'Tis Heera now a descant pours. 
 More soft than breeze from Irem's bowers ! — 
 Those artless notes that maidens breathe, — 
 When simplest strains their magic wreathe 
 Around our hearts — we know not whv. 
 Yet bless the murmured witchery.-— 
 
 SONG. 
 
 Alas, the haram's dephs are saci, 
 Its lonely walls in sorrow chui ; 
 Each latticed height is dark and drear. 
 In vain the muniiul woos the earj
 
 80 HEEPA. 
 
 For She, the haram's pride and care. 
 Hath wruuiiht a secret sorrow tliere. 
 
 Not long- tlie day, her slaves could lell, 
 When playful like her own gazelle ; 
 And Oh — witli eyes as laughing bright, 
 Tluit beamed tlieir fulness of deliglii j — 
 And now, — the liarani's pride and care 
 Is prey to secret sorrow tiiere. 
 
 She may not say — Oh, fear would seal 
 The tale her restless sighs reveal} — 
 And wherefore tell — she only knows. 
 That far is fled her wo it repose j 
 And Siie, the haram's pride and care. 
 Is lost in secret sorrow there ! 
 
 She ceased. — 'Twas sad that gentle strain 
 And breathed in tone of artless pain 5 
 It called a tear to Ahmed's eye. 
 When whispered soft the maiden's sigh j 
 For woe the lover's heart wlio sees, 
 A heaving bosom, ill at ease. 
 Yet knows the paiigs that riot there, 
 He may not soothe, — can only share. — 
 " Dispel those thoughts 5 "—he fundly cried, 
 *' Can truth and sorrow live allied ?
 
 HEERA. 81 
 
 *' Or am I then unmeet, to Avin 
 
 " Thy I'/ve — and deemed as one «)f sin ? 
 
 " What tho' our Faiths may hostile prove, 
 
 *' Our hearts more pure but meet in lovf^ ; 
 
 " Like summer clouds of form uneven, 
 
 " That float, apart, o'er face of heaven, 
 
 '•' Yet mingle, ere the hour of night, 
 
 " In one pure softened sky of light ! 
 
 '' Thy parent;. — true, — I own him wronged, — 
 
 " This poor concealment — still — prolonged. 
 
 " And Soopol ! — But the wretch is gone, 
 
 " And thus thy every care be flown : — 
 
 " Can thought of him afflict thy breast ? — 
 
 *' Ah, why at guilty flight deprest ? — 
 
 '^ My Heera, — had=t thou marked the glance, 
 
 " That scowled, in fellest look, askance, 
 
 ^' When, late in yonder city's street, 
 
 ^* His haggard eye I chanced to meet — - 
 
 " Thou M'ouldst not weep his absence more, 
 
 " Nor let thy heart a fiend deplore. 
 
 " 'Tii true, I grieved his age to harm — 
 
 " Unmeet that age should dread my arm 1 
 
 " Nay, when he strove my steps to stay, 
 
 " And prone I struck him from my way, 
 
 M
 
 82 
 
 KEEP. A. 
 
 *^ My only fears were. Love ! for thee ; 
 " I trembled, lest surae slave should see 
 " Thy sloFn ratreat to Haram shade, 
 And blast the fame of spotless maid !" 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
 a 
 
 (C 
 
 " Ah, tell not, Ahmed, of that night ; 
 
 Its memorj'^ comes my heart to blight. 
 " Alas ! 'twas then my parent came, 
 
 And anger fired his aged frame ; 
 
 He questioned me of paramour, 
 " Of secret love, in midnight hour : 
 " Ahmed, — that parent I deceived ; 
 '' A vile untruth this heart conceived ; 
 " For thee, the falsest tale I told, 
 *' And bribed my silent slaves with gold, — 
 *' Till — shame! — he caught me to his breast - 
 " My burning cheek with kisses prest : 
 ** Nay, craved forgiveness for a thought, 
 ^' With foul, unkind suspicion fraught. 
 '' Is there a paig no power can heal ? — 
 *' 'Tis that the writhing heart must feel, 
 '* When comes affection's purer sweet, 
 " To bless — yet undeserved, unmeet, 
 " And purchased but by poor deceit.
 
 HEEPA. 83 
 
 " Oh Ahmed ! woulilst thou gain my prayer, 
 " And this fond bosom truly share, 
 " Go, cease to lurs this guilty ear, — 
 " Nor give my heart to ceaseless fear." 
 
 But lovers' words are honied o'er, 
 And better far than sage's lore ; 
 Dispel the doubts, and soolh the mind 
 Of maiden, in her fondness blind. — 
 Ere Ahmed on his courser sprung. 
 And heard " Adieu" from faltering tongue, — 
 Ere Heera's timid lip retired. 
 It breathed each vow the youth inspired ; 
 Still promised never to <lisclose 
 To mortal ear her bosom's throes ; 
 Still to regret, — in secret sigh, — 
 And weep the fault she could not fly. 
 
 And he is gone. — She looks around, 
 And trembles at each whispering sound. 
 His last words linger on her ear, 
 And memory breathes — " Farewell, nor fear. " 
 Her fancy still that warning gives; 
 In seeming voice the murmur lives : — 
 
 M 2
 
 84 HKETA. 
 
 But hh, tlie import is not there, 
 Her mind but feels the echo, " Fear !" 
 And at that lone — deserted- hour, 
 M. hat throng of guilty terrors pour ; — 
 Her parent's ire, — her injured home, — 
 The crime, from Brahma's paths to roam ; 
 And link her maiden love with one, 
 Whom it were fcin to look upon ! — 
 She shuddering wept ! — Lo — fancy came 
 To soothe, and urge her Ahmed's claim : 
 Once more it hark'd his lover- vow. 
 Dearer than wealth or worlds below : 
 Again it met the beaming eye, 
 Tijat sought her own so tenderly ; 
 That lingering looked, — as if to say 
 'Tvvere death to tear the gaze away : — 
 And still she wept ; — but grief was gone ;— 
 And love ti'iumphant reigned alone ! — 
 
 Thus time had fled, till one fell day, 
 Retired portentous of dismay ! 
 The western sky was veiled with red. 
 Afar the deepening hues o'erspread ; 
 A pierceless shroud of gloom, around 
 The heavy darkening welkin frowned !
 
 HRT-RA. 
 
 Till o'er the west uprose the form, — 
 The massy front of gathering storm. 
 No breath disturbed the sultry air, 
 Nor yet was seen the lightning's glare ; 
 And all was wildly hushed as death ; 
 Save screams, from distant swamp or heath, 
 Of feather'd habitants, whose fear 
 Urged their shrill cries to listening ear. — 
 How dread the gloom! — but hark that roar! 
 Slowly the tempests onward pour ; 
 And see — the forked lightning's flash, — 
 While peals the thunder's deafening crash ; 
 And meteor-gleam, that darts in air, 
 Flings o'er 5'on columned dust its glare, 
 Till a red wall of earth-raised clouds. 
 Advancing, half the concave shrouds ! — 
 Ulla ! — the wildly rushing blast, 
 Pours its full burst of rage ! — 'lis past — 
 And lo 1 — in instant ruin laid, 
 Uprifted woods, and mantling shade ! 
 Sweep now the mingling hail and rain, 
 In sheety deluge, o'er the plain ; 
 The clouds, in awful conflict driven, 
 Rush o'er the face of angry heaven : 
 
 85
 
 86 HEERA. 
 
 And Ah !— that red bolt's shaft of fire 
 The reedy forest kindles dire, 
 And gives to view, 'niid fearful light, 
 The scene of rain, wreck, and blight ! 
 
 Now sinks the boisterous night to peace; 
 The thunders lull, — the wild winds cease : 
 Faintly the glimmering lightnings play, 
 The clouds far eastward flit away ; 
 Or borne on wing of gentler gale. 
 Lightly along the aether sail. 
 Now twinkling stars imfold to sight ; 
 The pale moon beams her placid light ; 
 And save, where prostrate on the ground, 
 The riven trees are scattered round ; 
 Or yonder forest's iiying flame 
 The lightning's scathing power proclaim ; 
 So still, so soft the .-tirless scene, 
 'Twere vain to guess the storm had been ! 
 
 Amid that calm and j-ilent hour, 
 Slow stealing from the Haram bower, 
 Lo ! trembling hands the wicket movej 
 And footsteps softly seek the grove.
 
 HETiPA. 87 
 
 'Tis Heera ! — ^^ hy thus venture there? 
 
 No lover shall these moments share. — 
 
 But see, — how wistfully she erHdes, 
 
 While seeming tear her purpose guides : 
 
 For scarce the gale's dread blast wat* o'er, 
 
 Or thunders lulled their pealing roar, 
 
 Ere Heera to her lattice hied. 
 
 And thence with breathless terror eyed, 
 
 Amid the bright and vivid glare 
 
 Of meteor, streaming thro' the air, 
 
 A horseman, who in silence led 
 
 A steed along, with cautious tread. 
 
 Love said, " 'twas Ahmed's noble form 
 
 *' Unsheltered, 'mid the blasting storm !" 
 
 She paused — and shuddered : yet, — no more 
 
 The gale's appalling furies pour : 
 
 And tremblingly she sought the grove. 
 
 The truth of each fond fear to prove. 
 
 Ah, sad the hour that led her feet 
 Beyond the Haram's safe retreat ; 
 For sudden seized by ruffian't arm, 
 Swelled her loud shriek, in wild alarm. r 
 
 She felt a savage, sinewy grasp 
 Her beating bosom rudely clasp ;
 
 a 
 
 88 HEERA. 
 
 While strange — hoarse voices' struck the ear. 
 
 From ambushed band in covert near. 
 
 " To horse, — to horse, — the maid we have ; — 
 
 *' Quick search the grove for Moslem slave. 
 
 " Or seize — or slay," a ruffian cries : — 
 
 *' 'Tis vain !" — an aged voice replies. — 
 
 'Twas Soopol : — " Haste — to hor^e — away ! 
 
 Or lose we else our virgin prey ; 
 " Trust me, the wretch would little dare, 
 " Fond tho' he be, such night to share : 
 *' And curses on his coward heart, 
 *' That fails our bold emprise in part." — 
 Quick starting from the thicket near. 
 Full twice ten hateful forms appear; 
 Full twice ten Rajpoots marshal round ; — 
 As many clam'rous voices sound, 
 " Ho! bring the litter:" — quick 'tis brought; 
 And rudely is the maid up-caught, 
 And forced within the palanquin, 
 'Mid anguished shrieks of terror keenl 
 
 Where is tlie arm of Ahmed now. 
 To snatch the maid from dastard foe ? 
 Where is ihe brand that well could brave. 
 Ten thousand deaths that maid to save? —
 
 HEERA. 89 
 
 Alas ! beneath his palace roof, 
 He rests in reckless peace aloof, 
 Nor dreams that foes with Heera fl>', 
 To seal his doom of misery. 
 
 Quick crowd the ravishers along, 
 While round the litter horsemen thronsr ; 
 Now raise they Soopol on his steed. 
 And to the plain direct their speed; 
 Chiding the footmen's slow array, 
 And urging oft their tardy way. 
 The captive's shrieks are hushed and gone. 
 Her thoughts are fled in death-like swoo i — 
 Ah — why not death ? — 'twere well for thee, 
 Lost maid, could life for ever flee! 
 For speeds thine hour, lo prisoned doom. 
 To haughty Dewul's haram gloom ; 
 To suffer taunt and sorrow there. 
 Perchance — his hated couch to share ! 
 
 But hark ! what shouts from distant rear 
 Inspire the guilty band with fear. 
 And speak pursuit? — Haste, friends, along. 
 To rescue speed, ye gallant throng ! — 
 
 N 
 
 I
 
 90 HEERA. 
 
 Urge every nerve — or chase is vain ! — 
 
 For lo! the daetard ruffians gain 
 
 Yon towering pass ; — that ghaut once cleared, 
 
 Thy brave pursuit were little feared. 
 
 The morning breaks, — see — see, above, 
 
 On fearful height the horsemen move ! 
 
 And now — they urge the litter on; 
 
 Haste, or the fatal pass is won ! 
 
 Blest Heav'n ! — thy angels throw the die ! 
 
 Of rescue, or captivity ; 
 
 Of weal, or Moe, to Veteran brave, 
 
 V/ho speeds a daughter's hope to save— 
 
 " And oh! Thy awful will be done!" 
 
 The Veteran c ied in frenzied tone : 
 
 But as he spake, the die was cast, 
 
 And rescue vain — the ghaut they passed ! 
 
 With joy of guilty triumph fraught. 
 The Hindus reached that fearful ghaut; 
 Already had they passed the brink 
 Of depths, that made ev'n valour shrink ; 
 One tall rough cliff alone remains, 
 And seek they then the safer plains. 
 But high that precipice in air. 
 And dread the dizzy pathway there j
 
 HEEPA. 91 
 
 So narrow, — scarce could footmen tM'ain, 
 Their oft terrific course maintain ; 
 So loose the soil, \vith flint and stone, 
 And weed, and moss, the path o'ergrown, 
 That deaih to him whose giddy sight 
 Palzied his feet upon that height : 
 One faltering step, — and fate wa« nigh, 
 In depth of dark eternity ! 
 
 Among the treacherous flying crew. 
 One horseman ill could bear the view 
 Of such abyss, — wide, dark, and deep, — 
 That yawning flanked the giddy steep : 
 And ill his trembling hand could guide, 
 His steed along its crumbling side. 
 Thrice had his terrors called for aid, 
 Thrice had his fears the band delayed : — 
 They cursed him : — as their curses pealed. 
 Floundered his horse, — it stumbled, — reeled j — 
 Floundered again ; — 'twas Soopol then. 
 Whose wild shrieks pierced the echoing glen ! 
 Around his courser's neck he clings, — 
 The frighted bea.st but wilder flings: 
 Already on the yielding brink. 
 Its feet wide faltering — failing— sink! 
 
 N 2
 
 C2 
 
 •HEERA. 
 
 ^Tis o'er ! — 'tis o'er ! — deep hurled beneath, 
 The steed and horseman phinge to death ! 
 
 Paused the pale band; — each ear intent. 
 Caught horror-struck the long descent ! 
 They s-huddering heard the first fell shock, 
 Re-echtiing from the midway rock; 
 The rushing next 'mid leaf and bough. 
 As crashiiigly they bent below — 
 Till pealing hollow from the dell. 
 Came the last crash, in fearful knell; — 
 
 And all was still ! The ruffians shrink 
 
 In speechless horror from the brink; 
 Yet listen on, — and think is heard 
 A 1(/W — faint moan, — a murmured word. 
 'Tis fancy all: — within that deep. 
 Death sleeps a sighles-i, moaiiless sleep. 
 And Oh ! if aught the brain could rive. 
 Or harrowed thoughts to madness drive, 
 It were to view that sunken bed. 
 Where Soopol and his steed lay dead ; 
 Where flesh deep torn, and gaping wound. 
 And limbs all shapeless, strewed the ground- 
 With eyeless sockets — features blent 
 In one red ruin, gashed and rent —
 
 HERRA. 93 
 
 Till scarce the wild beast prowling near, 
 That, startling, eyed the fallen cheer, 
 Amid the mangled heap could scan, 
 The relics of his foeman— Man !
 
 H E E R A. 
 
 -•-♦- 
 
 CANTO FIFTH.
 
 i 
 
 i
 
 H E E R A. 
 
 -•-♦- 
 
 CANTO FIFTH. 
 
 'Tis sad to think of joy once knowTi, 
 And feel that joy for ever flown ; 
 To weep at life's young day-dream past, 
 A!:d sigh for spring that may not last. 
 'Tis sad to view, at morning hour. 
 The gloomy sign of tempest lower. 
 And picture then a darksome day, 
 Uncheered by one short sunny ray. 
 'Tis sad to part from dearest friend. 
 From home, and native scene to wend ; — 
 But ah, 'tis sadder — sadder far. 
 To know the bosom's wilder war. 
 When those whom once we dearly loved, 
 Unworthy (jf the heart have proved; 
 And reason bids us burst the tye, 
 Which linked that love unworthil}'. 
 
 o
 
 98 HEERA. 
 
 For dawn o'ercast may brighten still. 
 And joy may bud from present ill ; 
 Fond hope can gild the exile's day. 
 And Fancy paint each scene away; 
 The long lost friend we yet may strain 
 To beating breast of love again : — 
 But what shall calm the widowed heart, 
 That, doomed from fairest dream to part. 
 Awakes and finds the vision r-^nt. 
 Which seemed with life so closely blent ; 
 That like the spot, where rifted trees 
 Lie blasted in the tempest's breeze. 
 Ere every root can quit the ground, 
 The soil but -wears one frightful wound ! — 
 The ivy clings upon the tower, 
 Its tendi-ils wreathe around the bower ; 
 Firm, to the wave -encircled rock. 
 The sea-weeds cling, and well they mock 
 The dashing of the angry surge, 
 Tho' ceaseless gales their fury urge : — 
 But, tear these from the rock's support, 
 They scatter wide, — the billow's sport; 
 And i\y, snatched from parent bower. 
 Withers in lone deserted hour !
 
 HEERA. 99 
 
 Old Beejanuggnr's gates arise. 
 To greet the wearied horsemen's eyes; 
 And now they hasten o'er the plain, 
 The rampart'b towering side to gain : 
 Welcome to them, as Mecca's height, 
 That greets the Avay-worn Moslem's sight. 
 Hark, fro.ii the curtained litter come, 
 Faint cries of one who weeps her doom; 
 And deep her bosom heaves the sigh 
 At late detected villainy 
 Of him, whom once she dearly loved. 
 And whom as parent she approved. 
 She weeps — yet knows not half the crime. 
 That tore her from her native clime; 
 She knows not, — Soopol's deadly art 
 Had plotted ev'n a double part : — 
 To venge him for the hateful blow. 
 From Ahmed, — rash mysterious foe; — 
 - The other thought — far blacker still. 
 Replete with hell-imagined ill. 
 To force the lovely virgin maid, 
 To haughty Dcwul's haram shade ; 
 Still hoping, in reward for sin, 
 Ihat he the Rajah's smile might win, 
 
 o 2
 
 100 HEEPA. 
 
 A "id favored rise to wealth and fame, 
 By aiding deed of guilt and shame ! 
 But, blest, — thrice blest, — the fatal dell. 
 Where, hurled to death, he plunging fell ; 
 And thus may ever vengeful fate. 
 The daring path of sin await ! — 
 
 The Hindarf now have sought the gate, 
 Nor long at barrier-portal wait ; 
 A messenger swih onward hies. 
 To tell the Key of captured prize. 
 But fiercest ire the chief assailed, 
 When learned he, that in part had failed 
 Hi-i daring plot : and scarce he deigned 
 To think of her his slaves had gained : 
 And like the falcon in its flight, 
 That failfi — and proudly spurns the sight 
 Of meaner prey, — nor deigns to eye 
 The readier victim crouching nigh, — 
 '' To western tower the girl convey," 
 He said, and turned in scorn away ! 
 His heart was baffled in its hate. 
 He listened not to Soopol's fate ; 
 But sullen cursed the trembling band, 
 Who captured not, with surer hand.
 
 HEEP.A. ■ 101 
 
 The lover-foe : — 'twas strange, in sooth, 
 Why fired his vengeance 'gainst that j'oulh; 
 Yet such it was, — and vain to pry, 
 Or solve that thiiij? of mysterv '- 
 
 To western tower of gloom conveyed. 
 They leave the lovely weeping maid : 
 In vain her tears ; — a haggard guard 
 Of ancient females throng the ward. 
 No pitying glance their looks afford, 
 Nor breathe they one consoling word : 
 Sterrt silence chills the fated prey. 
 Or scorn derides her wan dismay. 
 Pale Heera t^lmdders at the gloom, 
 Deep mantling o'er her prison-room j 
 Where narrow lattice, glimmering highj 
 Gives horror to the shrinking eye ; — 
 Casements, where bar and massy frame. 
 The hopelessness of flight proclaim ; 
 And ponderous door, and towering wall, 
 W' ith boding thought the soul appal ! 
 
 The night came sad ; the captive heard 
 The warder's oft repeated word ;
 
 102 HEFRA. 
 
 She marked along the rampart wall 
 Tho sentry's ceaseless footstep fall : 
 Each midnight sound that struck the ear, 
 Came to the heart in chill of fear ; — 
 She pondered on her prisoned fate. 
 Snatched from a home, where joyous state 
 Of love, and young affection &hone — 
 Remembered— but to weep them gone ! — 
 She pondered, till her feverish brain, 
 O'erpower'd by keenest sense of pain, 
 Failed her; and from the couch she fled, 
 'Mid frenzied laugh — then shriek of dread ; — 
 Till scarce the watchful females near. 
 Could still the death-like burst of fear ! 
 Anon, she bent a lowly knee, — 
 She breathed a prayer in agony 
 To heartless wretches, who around 
 But scoffed the prayer's low suppliant sound. 
 Though by the lamp that flung its light 
 Along the flickering gloom of night. 
 Such angel features met their view. 
 More beauteous ev'n in terror's hue. 
 That had one spark of pity shone 
 On hearts less hard than flinty stone,
 
 HEEP.A. 103 
 
 Those women-fiends had wept at sight, 
 
 Of beauty, in its sorrow bright ; — 
 
 Of tresses, streaming in the air ; 
 
 Of glances, wild with mariac glare ; 
 
 And sighs from throbbing bosom waking, — 
 
 Throbbing as though that heart was breaking! 
 
 The sun at early morn arose, 
 And day appeared to mock her woes ; 
 Its light, which thro' the latti::e sped. 
 Still saw the maid on sleepless bed, 
 In that wild listlessness of grief. 
 When sorrow, reckless of relief, 
 Rests a dim — vacant — glassy eye 
 On aught — yet notes no object nigh. 
 And many a day all cheerless sped. 
 Yet passed no change o'er Heera's head ; 
 But when another moon had dyed. 
 With infant ray, the turret's side; 
 Thev decked the unresisting maid 
 In gorgeous dress : — a veil arrayed, 
 Her lovely form of gentle fear ; 
 And fading tho' her charms appear. 
 Still there was left of loveliness, 
 Enough the gazing eye to bless ;
 
 104 HEERA. 
 
 Enough the victim ti> declare, 
 The fairest of the Dekhaa's fair. 
 
 And scarce the Evening watch was placed. 
 And sentinels the rampart paced ; 
 Or round the lonely fosse and wall, 
 The wild beasts urged their nightly call; 
 Scarce had the starry host on high, 
 Shed their mild luotre o'er the sky ; — 
 Ere Dewul gained the haram's porch, 
 Preceded by a flaming torch. 
 Silent he stalked thro' winding way, 
 Tiiat led him to his trembling prey : — 
 The bolts withdrew — each heavy bar 
 Released its hold 'mid creak and jar, 
 And stern to Heera stood confest 
 The Rajah of the guilty breast ! 
 
 One look she gave ; — then turned aside, 
 And shrunk beneath his scowl of pride : 
 Enough the look, — that haughty scowl. 
 Was glance of death to Heera's soul; — 
 It told her all that fear could paint. 
 To make the sickening fancy faint ; — 
 And pictured well a ruffian's hate. 
 In triumph of itss sin elate! —
 
 HEEBA. 105 
 
 To near attendant's arm she clung, 
 
 Her veil around her wildly flung; 
 
 And gasped, as tho' her breath had failed, 
 
 In terror, which the heart assailed. — 
 
 " Poor fool !" — th' unpitying chieftain cried, 
 
 " Thou shrink'st at Dewul by thy side ; 
 
 " Not thus, in sooth, thine idle fear, 
 
 " If haply were thy Lover near : 
 
 " And yet, — methinks — if such his fate, 
 
 *' Thou'd'st shrink still more at DcmuI's hate ! 
 
 *' Aye, — curses on my craven band, 
 
 " Who seized thee forth, at my command ; 
 
 " Yet failed to bring thy paramour, 
 
 '• To meet my wrath, — in this thy bower ! — 
 
 " Maid ! had my plotted will been done, 
 
 " Another Sire had mourned a Scm ; 
 
 " Another Parent felt the throe 
 
 '' Of blasted hopes, — of childless woe !" 
 
 He seized her hand, which grasped the veil. 
 And strove to hiJe each feature jjale. 
 " Poor fool!" — again thy Rajah said, 
 ^' Thou lik'st not thought of lover dead ; 
 " Tliou could'st not view thy stripling slain, 
 " Nor see red blood his besom stain : — 
 
 F
 
 106 HEEPA. 
 
 " Nay, shriek not ! — I have seen life's blood 
 
 " Burst from the heart in eddying flood, 
 
 '* From youth, as dear, as fond as thine, 
 
 " And one as loved by me and mine ! — 
 
 " Yes, — yes, — these eyes such scene have viewed- 
 
 " One murdered youth, with wounds imbrued ; 
 
 *' And they had marked another still, 
 
 " Had recreant minions blessed my will. 
 
 " Slave ! give to view thy syren face, 
 
 " Which lured a scion of that race, 
 
 " So hated, that ev'n hell were heav'n, 
 
 " Compared to torture I had given, 
 
 " To son detested of a sire, 
 
 " Whose very name is scourge of ire." 
 
 He grasped the maid with arm of strength — 
 He held her at that arm's stern length— 
 And gazed terrific. — Every charm 
 Was heightened by the maid's alarm; — 
 The veil had fallen to the ground. 
 Her hair was floating loose around. 
 Her lips— those lips of seraph love — 
 In vain a prayer for mercy strove ; 
 While looki of terror, from aside, 
 The^monster's fiend-like features eyed 1 —
 
 HEER.A. 107 
 
 " Yes, thou art fair;" — he said — "but go, 
 " I am not A'outhful lover now : — 
 ** And mark me — minion — if I spare, — 
 " Not pity bids my soul forbear." — • 
 He turned, and loosed his iron grasp : — 
 The maiden gave one fearful gasp ; 
 Like one, whose spirit se-med to fly, 
 O'ercome bv lengthen'd agony ; — 
 And instant to the earth she fell, 
 Nor viewed the tyrant quit the cell ! 
 
 How sad the night's long moments fly. 
 In gloom of dread capiivity; 
 And yet those hours are doubly drear, 
 When linked to boding sense of fear. 
 The prisoner chained to dungeon wall, 
 Tho' circling darkness may appal j 
 Tho' every clank of heavy chain, 
 Recal the busy dream of pain ; 
 If yet his fate hath reached its worst, 
 And knows he, that these bonds accurst 
 Are all his misery hath to dread — 
 Such wretch to rest may sooth his head. — 
 Not so, the peaceless captive's hour. 
 On vphom new fears unceasing pour ; 
 
 p2
 
 108 HEEPA. 
 
 Who wails alike the present doom. 
 And shrinks at pictnred ilia to come. 
 Shall such a victim sink to rest, 
 Whilst brooding horrors hamit the breast, 
 And agony of dread suspense 
 But conjures pain to every sense ? 
 
 But if such victim's fate unblest. 
 Can gain no soothing hour of rest ; 
 If peaceful slumbers ever fly, 
 Nor close the wearied aching eye ; — 
 Yet Heera, thou might'st bless thy night, 
 Tho' lingering thus in chill affright. 
 If thou hadst marked the torments keen. 
 Shedding their misery o'er the scene 
 Of Dewul, on his bed of crime. 
 Where guilty horror sat sublime ! 
 It were a fearful sight to view, 
 His writhing features' livid hue ; 
 Where sleep, if sleep it can be thought. 
 But shrouded thus, — unwished — unsought ; 
 While conscience urged its busy scourge, 
 Or seemed its fetter bands to forge, 
 'Mid wild anticipating yell. 
 To doom his soul to living hell !
 
 HRKRA. Uyj 
 
 His hai^i'-ard eye tras half unclosed, 
 
 Its rayle^s orb to vien' cxpoijed : 
 
 The sweat was studded o'er his bro\\- ; 
 
 His cheek now flushed with hectic glow, — 
 
 Or sudden changed to ghastly pale, 
 
 As varied dreams of guilt as'-ail : — 
 
 He starts. — He summons round each sliive; 
 
 Alone the night he dare not brave. 
 
 iVnd scarce the morrow beamed again. 
 Ere messengers, from distant plain, 
 Had brought report to Dewul's ear, 
 And told of foemen gathering near. 
 They said, throughout the Soollan's land. 
 Assembling was each warrior-band ; 
 And many a Moslem chieftain seen, 
 Who waved on high his pennon green. 
 Again Ferose had sounded far. 
 The clang of fierce invading war; 
 And sworn his standard now should float, 
 O'er vanquished Beejanuggur's moat. 
 The spies aftirmed, that busy fame, 
 Declared aloud the gallant name. 
 Of Hussein Khan, the Sooltan's son. 
 Whose brand in battle oft had shone,
 
 110 
 
 HfiKKA. 
 
 And spread his youthful glory wide, 
 Till stood he forth the Dekhan's pride, — 
 Now called the Moslem force to lead, 
 And fire their souls to vengeance dread. 
 
 But Dewul shrunk not at the news, 
 His cheek ev'n flushed with prouder hues; 
 And fiercer shone his angry glance. 
 As said he, " Bid the prince advance : — 
 " Perhaps my arm and readier sleel, 
 " In rest those youthful lids may seal, 
 " Ere yet his Sire shall mark my fall, 
 " Or floats his banner o'er my wall! — 
 " Ho ! speed vakeels to every friend ! 
 '' Bid them with gathered force attend ! 
 " Tis now the hour for Hindu might 
 *' To crush the Paynim in the fight, 
 " And give our Brahma's power again 
 " In triumph o'er the Dekhan's plain !" — 
 He paused awhile — and lower &aid, 
 " And come they for the captive maid ? — 
 *^ Aye, let them ; but no living charms 
 " Shall bless, I ween, a lover's arms !" — 
 He ceased, and gave a demon smile. 
 Dread emblem of his inward guile ;
 
 HEERA. Ill 
 
 And courtiers' glances wondering met, 
 As caught their ear the muttered tlireat. 
 
 Oft Dewul sought the rampart's height, 
 And all prepared for deadliest fight ; 
 Resolved within his native wall. 
 To brave the siege, or proudly fall. 
 He hoped, that if by blest delaj', 
 The Sooltan's arms he once might stay ; 
 Soon would each warlike Hindu clan 
 Be marshalled 'gainst the Mussulmaun, 
 And gaining whelming strength in time, 
 Regain for ay the conquered clime. 
 Fresh spies arrive, — and still they tell, 
 Of war's loud clang, and busy swell, 
 Re-echoing ev'n to Kistna's banks, 
 Where lengthening armies stretched their flanks. 
 While from the Rajah's fiefi around, 
 With hopes of valiant triumph crowned. 
 Come Hindu warriors breathing woe, 
 And death to Maha Dewul's foe ; 
 Till tented 'neath each battlement, 
 They wait the siege, on fight intent.
 
 112 HRERA. 
 
 'Tis now lone midnight's darkest tide, 
 Nor beams the moon tm rampart's side: 
 The Hindu hosts are sunk in sleep, 
 Save such as weary watches keep. — 
 Why wanders Dewul's step of dread ? 
 Why speeds he thus in silent tread ? 
 And wherefore at this lonely hour, 
 Seeks he the path to western tower ? — 
 But list! — quick sr)undfc arrest his feet, 
 And backward now his steps retreat. 
 A band of slaves with lights appear, 
 And seek their Lord in trembling fear. 
 " Why come ye hither? — Quick disclose!"— 
 " Thy slaves thine hour of wont repose 
 " Disturb, to tell of horsemen brave, 
 " Some hundi-ed friends, who earnest crave, 
 " Admittance at thy city g:ite, 
 '' And humbly there thy mandate wait. 
 The Rajah mused :— «'. This hour of night— 
 " Who are they?— Bid the band alight, 
 " And pause 'till morrow beams to sighl."— 
 *' Not so, dread Liege; from fair Berar, 
 " These Hindu friends have journied far, 
 " To league hi thy triumphant cause, 
 " And war for sacred Brahma's laws : 
 
 >
 
 HEERA. 113 
 
 a 
 
 Weary, and shelterless, they call 
 " For entrance at the eastern wall." — 
 '^ Hence, and admit them, — nor delay 1" — 
 The Rajah said — then turned away, 
 To seek again in darkest night 
 The gloomy western turret's height. 
 
 Black are the thoughts that now employ 
 The fiendish soul of De^v^ll Roy; 
 Dire are the workings of his breast. 
 And ah ! — a tulwar 'neath his vest ! 
 What means he? — Durst his coward hand. 
 Strike to a virgin heart that brand? 
 Blest Ulla ! if thy wakf ful power, 
 Shield innocence, in threatened hour ; 
 If from thy starry seat on high, 
 Thou hear'st the prisoned victim's sigh; — 
 If guileless love, with plighted truth. 
 Of gentle maid, and gallant youth. 
 Find mercy — favour at thy throne. 
 Bid thy avenging bolt be thrown 
 To blast the murderer — for his blade 
 Thirfcts for the blood of captive maid ! 
 
 He gains the tower. — Blest Heaven! his feet, 
 In sudden step, again retreat — 
 
 o.
 
 114 
 
 HEEPA. 
 
 Sure pity cannot now controul, 
 
 The ruffian purpose of his soul : 
 
 Why turns he? — ha! he hears a shout 
 
 Of mingled terror from wi.hout ; 
 
 While gathering peals the loud nlarm 
 
 Of distant fray and contest warm ! 
 
 He rushes back, — he meets his guard. 
 
 Who hastening seek the turret ward. 
 
 And shout of treachery ! — Short their tale ; 
 
 They say that daring foemen scale 
 
 The palace walls ; — that treacherous band 
 
 Admitted by the Roy's command. 
 
 Fertile in wile of Moslem hate, 
 
 As Hindus clad had passed the gate j 
 
 And crowding on in maddest fight. 
 
 Had stormed the inner haram's height. — 
 
 " Rout-e every guard !" — the Rajah cried. 
 
 And rushed he forth with frantic stride j 
 
 Enraged, confounded at the din 
 
 That stayed his murderous work of sin ! 
 
 The wall is scaled : — fill many a form 
 Of Moslem warrior seeks the storm 
 Of closer fight; — and deals around 
 The blow that strews the foeman's ground.
 
 HEEt'.A. 
 
 116 
 
 Amid the host a gallant youth 
 
 Fights well beneath his guise uncouthj 
 
 And the' his wily Hindu dreas, 
 
 Can nought of rank or worth express, 
 
 Yet there are glances from his eye, 
 
 That speak his proud nobility. 
 
 Loudly lor Dewul Roy he calls, 
 
 And loud resound the echoing wallis ; / 
 
 He bade a follower seize a torch 
 
 That glimmered at the haram's porch. 
 
 And rushing on with faithful band, 
 
 O'erwhelmed the guard on either hand. 
 
 Nor paused — till with a rallying few. 
 
 Fierce Dewul met his distant view ! 
 
 " Ulla!" — he cried— " 'tis he !— accursed !— 
 
 *^ Come, rebel ! — dare my vengeful worst — 
 
 " Advance, thou blasting scourge of man, 
 
 « And face thy Prince, ev'n HUSSEIN KHAN !" 
 
 Well Dewul heard, but still afar, 
 Retired from fiercer scene of war; 
 Bade his stout guards ih' assailants stay, 
 And fled for once the fight's array ! 
 'Twa.j not in fear : — a murderer's brand. 
 Again he grasps in guilty hand. 
 
 Q 2
 
 But, fly his guards ; — and at his heel 
 
 Speeds the bold prince with lifted steel ; 
 
 And soon the glaring torch's light, 
 
 Reveals the Rajah's savage flight. 
 
 The prison door he breathless gains, 
 
 The gallant youth still swifter strains : — 
 
 The Roy is seized — a well-aimed blow 
 
 But waits to strike the tyrant low ! — 
 
 " Turn coward, turn!"— the Moslem cried, 
 
 " Not thus my nobler steel be dyed ; 
 
 " Turn fiend— and face thy sovereign's son, 
 
 " Who tells— thy hated course is run !" 
 
 Fierce turned the Roy,— and guilt and ire 
 Flashed from his eye a look of fire. 
 He muttered,—" Ha !— my sovereign's son, 
 " Well hast thou said,— rash boy, come on l" 
 Nor shrunk he "nov/ : — a fearful blow 
 He levelled at his youthful foe ; 
 It bloodless fell,— another came, 
 But well was warded every aim. 
 Wily, at length,— he slow recedes. 
 As if to nerve for deadlier deeds. 
 Each, breathless, marks the other's eye, 
 And waits to rush, in vengeance, nigh :
 
 HRF.RA. 117 
 
 While such the contrast then belw-^en 
 
 The Tyrant's rage — the Youth's bold mien ; 
 
 It seemed to mortal view was. given, 
 
 A fiend that warred with form of heaven ! 
 
 Uplifted gleamed th' impatient brand 
 
 Half quivering in each eager hand, 
 
 As thu' the very steel had life. 
 
 And panted, trembling, for the strife ! 
 
 Th'rv meet ! — the readier arm of youth 
 
 Hath dealt its blow wiih errless truth; 
 
 For Dewul staggers ! — Ha ! again. 
 
 He fiercer strikes in maddening pain ; 
 
 And loud the clash; — while, from within 
 
 Yon prison, screams but swell the din.— 
 
 The door is forced, — each female slave 
 
 Shrieks as the twain the combat brave. 
 
 See— from the portal, wild with fear, 
 
 A frantic maiden rushes near. 
 
 And fain would fly their swords between. — 
 
 But, ere she reached the mortal scene, 
 
 A direr blow had felled the Roy, 
 
 Who sunk before the warrior boy ! — 
 
 Upraised one demon glance of hate, 
 
 To curse the hand that sealed his fate ;
 
 120 HEEPA. 
 
 And soon the secret fault forgave, 
 
 That won the love of Hussein brave ! 
 
 Or what Ferose's looks confess, 
 
 When struck with Houri loveliness, 
 
 He blest him that his son should share 
 
 The love of one so heavenly fair ! — 
 
 And blythe was then the marriage feast ; 
 
 And Fame flew gaily o'er the East, 
 
 And sang in haram, bower, and grove. 
 
 Of HUSSEIN KHAN'S and HEERAS love ! 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 t 74
 
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