Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1823.pdf/102

101 Literary Gazette 30th August 1823, Page 556

ORIGINAL POETRY. I.—THE BAYADERE. An Indian Tale.

There were seventy pillars around the hall, Of wreathed gold was each capital, And the roof was fretted with amber and gems, Such as light kingly diadems; The floor was marble, white as the snow Ere its pureness is stained by its fall below: In the midst played a fountain, whose starry showers Fell like beams on the radiant flowers, Whose colours were gleaming, as every one Burnt with the kisses just caught from the sun; And vases sent forth their silvery clouds, Like those which the face of the young moon shrouds, But sweet as the breath of the twilight hour When the dew awakens the rose's power. At the end of the hall was a sunbright throne, Rich with every glorious stone; And the purple canopy over head Was like the shade o'er the day-fall shed; And the couch beneath was of buds half blown, Hued with the blooms of the rainbow's zone; And round, like festoons, a vine was rolled, Whose leaf was of emerald, whose fruit was of gold. But, though graced as for a festival, There was something sad in that stately hall: There floated the breath of the harp and flute,— But the sweetest of every music is mute; There are flowers of light and spiced perfume,— But there wants the sweetest of breath and of bloom: And the hall is lone, and the hall is drear, For the smiling of woman shineth not here. With urns of odour o'er him weeping, Upon the couch a youth is sleeping: His radiant hair is bound with stars, Such as shine on the brow of night, Filling the dome with diamond rays, Only than his own curls less bright.