Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/12

Rh

They brought their faith from distant lands, They reared the Moslem badge on high, And swept away with reeking brands The reliques of idolatry.

Where'er they spread their prophet's creed The guilty rites of Brama fled; No longer shrinking victims bleed, Nor sleeps the living with the dead.

The frantic shrieks of widowed brides From burning piles resound no more, Nor Ganges' desecrated tides Bear human offerings from its shore.

Their wreaths have faded—lizards bask Upon the marble pavement, where, 'Twas erst the dark-eyed beauty's task To crown with flowers her raven hair.