Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/94

58 That will enable him to pay
 * The bracelet's price, now fare thee well!"

She spoke, the pedlar went away,
 * Charmed with her voice, as by some spell;

While she left lonely there, prepared
 * To plunge into the water pure,

And like a rose her beauty bared,
 * From all observance quite secure.

Not weak she seemed, nor delicate,
 * Strong was each limb of flexile grace,

And full the bust; the mien elate,
 * Like her's, the goddess of the chase

On Latmos hill,—and oh, the face
 * Framed in its cloud of floating hair,

No painter's hand might hope to trace
 * The beauty and the glory there!

Well might the pedlar look with awe,
 * For though her eyes were soft, a ray

Lit them at times, which kings who saw
 * Would never dare to disobey.

Onwards through groves the pedlar sped
 * Till full in front the sunlit spire

Arose before him. Paths which led
 * To gardens trim in gay attire