Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/62

26 And purity,—no creatures foul
 * As we seemed, by her loveliness,

Or soul of evil, ghost or ghoul,
 * To venture close, and far, far less

To stretch a hand, and bear the dead;
 * We left her leaning on her hand,

Thoughtful; no tear-drop had she shed,
 * But looked the goddess of the land,

With her meek air of mild command."—
 * "Then on this errand I must go

Myself, and bear my dreaded brand,
 * This duty unto Fate I owe;

I know the merits of the prince,
 * But merit saves not from the doom

Common to man; his death long since
 * Was destined in his beauty's bloom."