Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/57

Rh She urged the nature of her vows,
 * Required her now the rites were done

To follow where her loving spouse
 * Might e'en a chance of danger run.

"Go then, my child,—we give thee leave,
 * But with thy husband quick return,

Before the flickering shades of eve
 * Deepen to night, and planets burn,

And forest-paths become obscure,
 * Lit only by their doubtful rays.

The gods, who guard all women pure,
 * Bless thee and kept thee in thy ways.

And safely bring thee and thy lord!"
 * On this she left, and swiftly ran

Where with his saw in lieu of sword,
 * And basket, plodded Satyavan.

Oh, lovely are the woods at dawn,
 * And lovely in the sultry noon,

But loveliest, when the sun withdrawn
 * The twilight and a crescent moon

Change all asperities of shape,
 * And tone all colours softly down,

With a blue veil of silvered crape!
 * Lo! By that hill which palm-trees crown,