Page:A History of Hindi Literature.djvu/30

 16 A HISTORY OF HINDI LITERATURE The heroes of this poem are Alha and Udal (or Udan). Portions of one recension have been trans- lated into English ballad metre by Mr. Waterfield, under the title of " The Nine-Lakh Chain or the Maro Feud." A few stanzas will give some idea of this poem. It relates Alha's victory over King Jambay : — The warriors staggered, they scattered and broke, In hope their lives to save ; When Jambay saw they fled, he spoke, And his elephant onward drave. " Mahoba's champion, Devi's son, Now settle thy cause with me ; Alive from the field shall go but one. So turn by turn strike we." " I may not strike, by the Chandel law ; Do thou strike first, O King "; Then a good red bow did Jambay draw. And fitted the notch to string. The aim was good, the string did twang, Fast did the arrow fly ; Across the howda Alha sprang, And the shaft went whizzing by. Then his javelin fjew as near they drew, Now how may Alha bide ? Queen Sarada's care at his right hand there She turned the spear aside. " Twice hast thou foiled my blow ; In peace thy way to Mahoba take, For thrice thou 'scap'st not so." But Alha there his breast made bare. And did to the Raja cry ; " No part of a Kshatri's trade it were, From the battle trench to fly." " There are homes in heaven stand ready for all, To-morrow if not to-day ; And if in Maro this tide shall fall. My name shall live for aye." And see thou miss no more " ; Then drew the King his shining glaive, And thrice he smote full sore.
 * ' Now hear, Banaphar," Jambay spake,
 * ' One chance is left thee. King, to save.