Page:Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan.djvu/99

Rh "O Mother, Mother, deign to hear,
 * The worship-hour has rung; we wait

In meek humility and fear.
 * Must we return home desolate?

Oh come, as late thou cam'st unsought,
 * Or was it but an idle dream?

Give us some sign if it was not,
 * A word, a breath, or passing gleam."

Sudden from out the water sprung
 * A rounded arm, on which they saw

As high the lotus buds among
 * It rose, the bracelet white, with awe.

Then a wide ripple tost and swung
 * The blossoms on that liquid plain,

And lo! the arm so fair and young
 * Sank in the waters down again.

They bowed before the mystic Power,
 * And as they home returned in thought,

Each took from thence a lotus flower
 * In memory of the day and spot.

Years, centuries, have passed away,
 * And still before the temple shrine

Descendants of the pedlar pay
 * Shell bracelets of the old design