Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/29

Rh

Its marble wings up springing from the shade By the dark peepul's glossy foliage made, The waving niem, the willow-like bamboo, And shrubs of fragrant scent and brilliant hue, The Nazim's regal palace proudly gleams In pearl-like splendour in the evening beams; While each surrounding crag and sun-kissed slope Crowned with the bright luxuriant mango tope, Each vagrant creeper with its starry wreath, Are softly mirrored in the stream beneath.

Where'er the wandering eyes delighted roam From groves embowering peeps the graceful dome Of some small mosque, or holy Bramin's cell, Where the lamp glances, and the silvery bell Makes gentle music in the balmy air; No other sounds the listening echoes bear On this calm eve, save snatches of sweet song Which rise at intervals from yonder throng Assembled on the terraced ghaut, and fling O'er Ganges' wave each flowery offering.