Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/49

Rh Great joy in Madra. Blow the shell
 * The marriage over to declare!

And now to forest-shades where dwell
 * The hermits, wend the wedded pair.

The doors of every house are hung
 * With gay festoons of leaves and flowers;

And blazing banners brood are flung,
 * And trumpets blown from castle towers!

Slow the procession makes its ground
 * Along the crowded city street:

And blessings in a storm of sound
 * At every step the couple greet.

Past all the houses, past the wall,
 * Past gardens gay, and hedgerows trim,

Past fields, where sinuous brooklets small
 * With molten silver to the brim

Glance in the sun's expiring light,
 * Past frowning hills, past pastures wild,

At last arises on the sight,
 * Foliage on foliage densely piled,