Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/306

 To left the roar of musketry rang like a falling flood To right the sunshine rippled red from redder lance and blade— Above the dark Upsaras flew, beneath us plashed the blood, And, bellying black against the dust, the Bhagwa Jhanda swayed.

I saw it fall in smoke and fire, the Banner of the Bhao; I heard a voice across the press of one who called in vain:— "Ho! Anand Rao Nimbalkhur, ride! Get aid of Mulhar Rao! "Go shame his squadrons into fight—the Bhao—the Bhao is slain!"

Thereat, as when a sand-bar breaks in clotted spume and spray, When rain of later autumn sweeps the Jumna water-head, Before their charge from flank to flank our riven ranks gave way— But of the waters of that flood the Jumna fords ran red.

I held by Scindia, my lord, as close as man might hold; A Soobah of the Deccan asks no aid to guard his life; But Holkar's Horse were flying, and our chiefest chiefs were cold, And like a flame among us leapt the long lean Northern knife.

I held by Scindia—my lance from butt to tuft was dyed, The froth of battle bossed the shield and roped the bridle-chain— What time beneath our horses' feet a maiden rose and cried, And clung to Scindia, and I turned a sword-cut from the twain.