Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/64

28 And what can be thine errand here?"
 * "Savitri, for thy prayers, thy faith,

Thy frequent vows, thy fasts severe,
 * I answer,—list,—my name is Death.

And I am come myself to take
 * Thy husband from this earth away,

And he shall cross the doleful lake
 * In my own charge, and let me say

To few such honours I accord,
 * But his pure life and thine require

No less from me." The dreadful sword
 * Like lightning glanced one moment dire;

And then the inner man was tied,
 * The soul no bigger than the thumb,

To be borne onwards by his side:—
 * Savitri all the while stood dumb.

But when the god moved slowly on
 * To gain his own dominions dim,

Leaving the body there—anon
 * Savitri meekly followed him,

Hoping against all hope; he turned
 * And looked surprised. "Go back, my child!"

Pale, pale the stars above them burned,
 * More weird the scene had grown and wild;