Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/175

Rh When earth lay trancèd in a dreamless swoon:

And every time the music rose,—before

Mine inner vision rose a form sublime,

Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime

I saw thee, in my own loved native clime.

Therefore I fain would consecrate a lay

Unto thy honour, Tree, beloved of those

Who now in blessed sleep, for aye, repose,

Dearer than life to me, alas! were they!

Mayst thou be numbered when my days are done

With deathless trees—like those in Borrowdale,

Under whose awful branches lingered pale

"Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton,

And Time the shadow;" and though weak the verse

That would thy beauty fain, oh fain rehearse.

May Love defend thee from Oblivion's curse.