Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/46

10 And think upon the dreadful curse
 * Of widowhood; the vigils, fasts,

And penances; no life is worse
 * Than hopeless life,—the while it lasts.

Day follows day in one long round,
 * Monotonous and blank and drear;

Less painful were it to be bound
 * On some bleak rock, for aye to hear—

Without one chance of getting free—
 * The ocean's melancholy voice!

Mine be the sin,—if sin there be,
 * But thou must make a different choice."

In the meek grace of virginhood
 * Unblanched her cheek, undimmed her eye,

Savitri, like a statue, stood,
 * Somewhat austere was her reply.

"Once, and once only, all submit
 * To Destiny,—'tis God's command;

Once, and once only, so 'tis writ,
 * Shall woman pledge her faith and hand;

Once, and once only, can a sire
 * Unto his well-loved daughter say

In presence of the witness, Fire,
 * I give thee to this man away.