Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/53

Rh And fed the Bramins and the birds,
 * Now ministered. Arcadian love,

With tender smiles and honeyed words,
 * All bliss of earth thou art above!

And yet there was a spectre grim,
 * A skeleton in Savitri's heart,

Looming in shadow, somewhat dim,
 * But which would never thence depart.

It was that fatal, fatal speech
 * Of Narad Muni. As the days

Slipt smoothly past, each after each,
 * In private she more fervent prays.

But there is none to share her fears,
 * For how could she communicate

The sad cause of her hidden tears?
 * The doom approached, the fatal date.

No help from man. Well, be it so!
 * No sympathy,—it matters not!

God can avert the heavy blow!
 * He answers worship. Thus she thought.

And so, her prayers, by day and night,
 * Like incense rose unto the throne;

Nor did she vow neglect or rite
 * The Veds enjoin or helpful own.