The rein of magic might avails no more, Bootless its strength against that unseen Power That in their mid career, Hath seized the Chariot and the Charioteer. He struggles to maintain his difficult seat. Seeking in vain with that strange Power to vie, Their doubled speed the affrighted Dragons try. Forced in a stream from whence was no retreat, Strong as they are, behold them whirled along, Headlong, with useless pennons, through the sky. 15. What Power was that, which, with resistless might, So far above its roots of ice and snow. 16. On..on they roll, rapt headlong they roll on; .. On.. on they roll, and now, with shivering shock, Is dropt,.. ten thousand thousand fathoms down,. Till in an ice-rift, 'mid the eternal snow, Foul Arvalan is stopt. There let him howl, Groan there,.. and there with unavailing moan, For aid on his Almighty Father call. 17. All human sounds are lost Amid those deserts of perpetual frost, Beyond the limits of the living World, Of utterance and of motion soon bereft, 97 XII. THE SACRIFICE COMPLEATED. 1. O YE who, by the Lake The joys which Heaven hath destin'd for the blest, Swift, swift, the moments fly, The silent hours go by, And ye must leave your dear abode of rest. O wretched Man, prepare Again thy Curse to bear! Prepare, O wretched Maid, for farther woe! The fatal hour draws near, When Indra's heavenly sphere Must own the Tyrant of the World below. At Seeva's shrine must bleed, Again to save the Swerga from his sway. VOL. VIII. Fresh trials must be thine: H And what must thou, Ladurlad, yet endure! And rise against all wrong, For Providence is just, and virtue is secure. 2. They, little deeming that the fatal day Old Casyapa, the Sire of Gods, alight. 3. Even so, serene the immortal Sire replies; Beyond the circle of the conquer'd world, Ocean, that clips this inmost of the Spheres, And girds it round with everlasting roar, Set like a gem appears Within that bending shore. Thither fly all the Sons of heavenly race : I too forsake mine ancient dwelling-place. And now, O Child and Father, ye must go: Take up the burthen of your woe, And wander once again below. With patient heart hold onward to the end,... Be true unto yourselves, and bear in mind That every God is still the good Man's friend; And when the Wicked have their day assign'd, Then they who suffer bravely save mankind. 4. Oh tell me, cried Ereenia, for from thee Nought can be hidden, when the end will be! Seek not to know, old Casyapa replied, Dark is the abyss of Time, But light enough to guide your steps is given; Whatever weal or woe betide, Turn never from the way of truth aside, And leave the event, in holy hope, to Heaven. The moment is at hand, no more delay, Ascend the etherial bark, and go your way; And Ye, of heavenly nature, follow me. |