A brook that winds through this sequester'd glade,
And yonder woods, to yield us fruit and shade?
The little all our wants require is nigh;
Hope we have none;.. why travel on in fear?
We cannot fly from Fate, and Fate will find us here.

A

5.

'Twas a fair scene wherein they stood,
green and sunny glade amid the wood,
And in the midst an aged Banian grew.
It was a goodly sight to see
That venerable tree,

For o'er the lawn, irregularly spread,
Fifty straight columns propt its lofty head;
And many a long depending shoot,
Seeking to strike its root,

Straight like a plummet, grew towards the ground.
Some on the lower boughs which crost their way,
Fixing their bearded fibres, round and round,
With many a ring and wild contortion wound;
Some to the passing wind at times, with sway
Of gentle motion swung;

Others of younger growth, unmoved, were hung Like stone-drops from the cavern's fretted height; Beneath was smooth and fair to sight,

Nor weeds nor briars deform'd the natural floor,
And through the leafy cope which bower'd it o'er
Came gleams of chequer'd light.

So like a temple did it seem, that there
A pious heart's first impulse would be prayer.

6.

A brook, with easy current, murmur'd near;
Water so cool and clear

The peasants drink not from the humble well,
Which they with sacrifice of rural pride,
Have wedded to the cocoa-grove beside;
Nor tanks of costliest masonry dispense
To those in towns who dwell,

The work of Kings, in their beneficence.
Fed by perpetual springs, a small lagoon,
Pellucid deep and still, in silence join'd
And swell'd the passing stream. Like burnish'd steel
Glowing, it lay beneath the eye
of noon;

And when the breezes in their play, Ruffled the darkening surface, then with gleam Of sudden light, around the lotus stem It rippled, and the sacred flowers that crown The lakelet with their roseate beauty, ride In easy waving rock'd, from side to side; And as the wind upheaves

Their broad and buoyant weight, the glossy leaves Flap on the twinkling waters, up and down.

7.

They built them here a bower, of jointed cane, Strong for the needful use, and light and long Was the slight framework rear'd, with little pain ; Lithe creepers, then, the wicker sides supply, And the tall jungle-grass fit roofing gave Beneath the genial sky.

And here did Kailyal, each returning day,
Pour forth libations from the brook to pay

The Spirits of her Sires their grateful rite;
In such libations pour'd in open glades,
Beside clear streams and solitary shades,
The Spirits of the virtuous dead delight.
And duly here, to Marriataly's praise,
The Maid, as with an angel's voice of song,
Pour'd her melodious lays

Upon the gales of even,

And gliding in religious dance along, Moved graceful as the dark-eyed Nymphs of Heaven, Such harmony to all her steps was given.

8.

Thus ever, in her Father's doating eye,
Kailyal perform'd the customary rite;
He, patient of his burning pain the while,
Beheld her, and approved her pious toil;
And sometimes at the sight,
A melancholy smile

Would gleam upon his aweful countenance.
He too by day and night, and every hour,
Paid to a higher Power his sacrifice;
An offering, not of ghee, or fruit, and rice,
Flower-crown, or blood; but of a heart subdued,
A resolute, unconquer'd fortitude,
An agony represt, a will resign'd,

To her, who, on her secret throne reclin'd,
Amid the Sea of Milk, by Veeshnoo's side,
Looks with an eye of mercy on mankind.
By the Preserver, with his power endued,
There Voomdavee beholds this lower clime,
And marks the silent sufferings of the good,
To recompense them in her own good time.

9.

O force of faith! O strength of virtuous will! Behold him in his endless martyrdom, Triumphant still!

The Curse still burning in his heart and brain,
And yet doth he remain

Patient the while, and tranquil, and content!
The pious soul hath framed unto itself
A second nature, to exist in pain

As in its own allotted element.

10.

Such strength the will reveal'd had given This holy pair, such influxes of grace, That to their solitary resting place They brought the peace of Heaven. Yea, all around was hallow'd! Danger, Fear, Nor thought of evil ever enter'd here. A charm was on the Leopard when he came Within the circle of that mystic glade; Submiss he crouch'd before the heavenly maid, And offer'd to her touch his speckled side; Or with arch'd back erect, and bending head, And eyes half-closed for pleasure, would he stand, Courting the pressure of her gentle hand.

11.

Trampling his path through wood and brake, And canes which crackling fall before his way, And tassel-grass, whose silvery feathers play O'ertopping the young trees,

On comes the Elephant, to slake

His thirst at noon in yon pellucid springs.
Lo! from his trunk upturn'd, aloft he flings
The grateful shower; and now

Plucking the broad-leaved bough
Of yonder plane, with wavey motion slow,
Fanning the languid air,

He moves it to and fro.

But when that form of beauty meets his sight, The trunk its undulating motion stops, From his forgetful hold the plane-branch drops, Reverent he kneels, and lifts his rational eyes To her as if in prayer;

And when she pours her angel voice in song, Entranced he listens to the thrilling notes, Till his strong temples, bathed with sudden dews, Their fragrance of delight and love diffuse.

12.

Lo! as the voice melodious floats around,
The Antelope draws near,

The Tygress leaves her toothless cubs to hear;
The Snake comes gliding from the secret brake
Himself in fascination forced along
By that enchanting song;

The antic Monkies, whose wild gambols late, When not a breeze waved the tall jungle grass, Shook the whole wood, are hush'd, and silently Hang on the cluster'd tree.

All things in wonder and delight are still; Only at times the Nightingale is heard, Not that in emulous skill that sweetest bird