IX. THE HOME-SCENE. The sun-beam, and condensing there its light, Fell in white ashes from his hold, but he Was full, and at the height; 96 The burning stream of radiance nothing harm'd him: A fire was in his heart and brain, And from all other flame Kehama's Curse had charm'd him. Anon the Spirit wav'd a second hand; Down rush'd the obedient whirlwind from the sky, Scoop'd up the sand like smoke, and from on high Shed the hot shower upon Ladurlad's head. Where'er he turns, the accursed Hand is there; East, West, and North and South, on every side The Hand accursed waves in air to guide The dizzying storm; ears, nostrils, eyes and mouth, It fills and choaks, and, clogging every pore, Taught him new torments might be yet in store. Where shall he turn to fly? behold his house And still the lips of scorn their mockery-laugh renew'd. What, Arvalan! hast thou so soon forgot The grasp of Pollear? Wilt thou still defy The righteous Powers of Heaven? or know'st thou not That there are yet superior Powers on high, Son of the Wicked?... Lo, in rapid flight, Ereenia hastens from the etherial height; Bright is the sword celestial in his hand, Like lightning in its path athwart the sky. He comes and drives, with angel-arm, the blow. Oft have the Asuras, in the wars of Heaven, Felt that keen sword by arm angelic driven, And fled before it from the fields of light. Thrice through the vulnerable shade The Glendoveer impels the griding blade. The wicked Shade flies howling from his foe. So let that Spirit foul Fly, and for impotence of anger, howl, Writhing with pain, and o'er his wounds deplore; Worse punishment hath Arvalan deserv❜d, And righteous Fate hath heavier doom in store. Not now the Glendoveer pursued his flight. And gently there he laid The astonished Father by the happy Maid, The Maid now shedding tears of deep delight. Beholding all things with incredulous eyes, Still dizzy with the sand-storm, there he lay, While sailing up the skies, the living Bark, Through air and sunshine, held its heavenly way. X. MOUNT MERU. Swift through the sky the vessel of the Suras Sails Rich is the freight, O Vessel, that thou bearest! Beauty and Virtue, Fatherly cares and filial veneration, Hearts which are prov'd and strengthen'd by affliction, Manly resentment, fortitude and action, Womanly goodness; All with which Nature halloweth her daughters, Tenderness, truth and purity and meekness, Love and devotement. Ship of the Gods! how richly art thou laden! Proud of the charge, thou voyagest rejoicing. Clouds float around to honour thee, and Evening Lingers in heaven. A Stream descends on Meru mountain ; None hath seen its secret fountain; It had its birth, so Sages say, Upon the memorable day When Parvati presumed to lay, In wanton play, Her hands, too venturous Goddess, in her mirth, On Seeva's eyes, the light and life of Earth. Thereat the heart of the Universe stood still; The Elements ceas'd their influences; the Hours Stopt on the eternal round; Motion and Breath, Time, Change, and Life and Death, In sudden trance opprest, forgot their powers. A moment, and the dread eclipse was ended; But, at the thought of Nature thus suspended, |