Resisted in its strength the surf and surge
That on their deep foundations beat in vain.
In solitude the Ancient Temples stood,
Once resonant with instrument and song,
And solemn dance of festive multitude;
Now as the weary ages pass along,
Hearing no voice save of the Ocean flood,
Which roars for ever on the restless shores;
Or visiting their solitary caves,

The lonely sound of winds, that moan around
Accordant to the melancholy waves.

9.

With reverence did the travellers see

The works of ancient days, and silently Approach the shore. Now on the yellow sand, Where round their feet the rising surges part, They stand. Ladurlad's heart

Exulted in his wonderous destiny.
To Heaven he raised his hand
In attitude of stern heroic pride;
Oh what a power, he cried,

Thou dreadful Rajah, doth thy curse impart!
I thank thee now! . . Then turning to the Maid,
Thou seest how far and wide

Yon Towers extend, he said,

My search must needs be long. Meantime the flood
Will cast thee up thy food, ..

And in the Chambers of the Rock by night,
Take thou thy safe abode.

No prowling beast to harm thee, or affright,
Can enter there; but wrap thyself with care

From the foul Birds obscene that thirst for blood;

For in such caverns doth the Bat delight To have its haunts. Do thou with stone and shout, Ere thou liest down at evening, scare them out, And in this robe of mine involve thy feet. Duly commend us both to Heaven in prayer, Be of good heart, and may thy sleep be sweet!

10.

So saying, he put back his arm, and gave The cloth which girt his loins, and press'd her hand With fervent love, then from the sand Advanced into the sea; the coming Wave Which knew Kehama's curse, before his way Started, and on he went as on dry land, And still around his path the waters parted. She stands upon the shore, where sea-weeds play, Lashing her polish'd ankles, and the spray Which off her Father, like a rainbow, fled, Falls on her like a shower; there Kailyal stands, And sees the billows rise above his head. She at the startling sight, forgot the power The Curse had given him, and held forth her hands Imploringly, her voice was on the wind, And the deaf Ocean o'er Ladurlad closed. Soon she recall'd his destiny to mind, And shaking off that natural fear, composed Her soul with prayer, to wait the event resign'd.

...

11.

Alone, upon the solitary strand,
The lovely one is left; behold her go,

Pacing with patient footsteps, to and fro,
Along the bending sand.

Save her, ye Gods! from Evil Powers, and here
From man she need not fear:

For never Traveller comes near
These aweful ruins of the days of yore,
Nor fisher's bark, nor venturous mariner,
Approach the sacred shore.

All day, she walk'd the beach, at night she sought
The Chamber of the Rock; with stone and shout
Assail'd the Bats obscene, and scared them out;

Then in her Father's robe involved her feet, And wrapt her mantle round to guard her head, And laid her down; the rock was Kailyal's bed, Her chamber-lamps were in the starry sky, The winds and waters were her lullaby.

12.

Be of good heart, and may thy sleep be sweet, Ladurlad said;.. Alas! that cannot be To one whose days are days of misery. How often did she stretch her hands to greet Ereenia, rescued in the dreams of night! How oft amid the vision of delight, Fear in her heart all is not as it seems; Then from unsettled slumber start, and hear The Winds that moan above, the Waves below! Thou hast been call'd, O Sleep! the friend of Woe, But 't is the happy who have call'd thee so.

13.

Another day, another night are gone,
A second passes, and a third wanes on.
So long she paced the shore,

So often on the beach she took her stand, That the wild Sea-Birds knew her, and no more Fled, when she past beside them on the strand. Bright shine the golden summits in the light

Of the noon-sun, and lovelier far by night Their moonlight glories o'er the sea they shed: Fair is the dark-green deep: by night and day Unvex'd with storms, the peaceful billows play, As when they closed upon Ladurlad's head; The firmament above is bright and clear; The sea-fowl, lords of water, air, and land, Joyous alike upon the wing appear, Or when they ride the waves, or walk the sand; Beauty and light and joy are every-where; There is no sadness and no sorrow here, Save what that single human breast contains, But oh! what hopes, and fears, and pains are there!

14.

Seven miserable days the expectant Maid, From earliest dawn till evening, watch'd the shore; Hope left her then; and in her heart she said, Never should she behold her Father more.

131

XVI.

THE ANCIENT SEPULCHRES.

1.

WHEN the broad Ocean on Ladurlad's head
Had closed and arch'd him o'er,
With steady tread he held his way
Adown the sloping shore.

The dark green waves with emerald hue,
Imbue the beams of day,

And on the wrinkled sand below,
Rolling their mazy network to and fro,
Light shadows shift and play.
The hungry Shark, at scent of prey,
Toward Ladurlad darted;

Beholding then that human form erect,
How like a God the depths he trod,
Appall'd the monster started,
And in his fear departed.

Onward Ladurlad went with heart elate, And now hath reach'd the Ancient City's gate.

2.

Wondering he stood awhile to gaze
Upon the works of elder days.