Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/20

8 Her hidden beauties though no tongue may tell, Yet love will aid the fancy well; No other maid could deem her boasted charms Worthy the clasp of such a husband's arms. Between the partings of fair vest Came hasty glimpses of a lovely breast: So closely there the kissing hillocks rose, Scarce could the Lotus in the vale repose; And if her loosened zone e'er slipped below, All was so bright beneath the mantle's flow. So dazzling bright, as if the maid had braced A band of gems to sparkle round her waist; While the dear dimples of her downy skin Seemed fitting couch for Love to revel in. Her arms were softer than the flowery dart, Young arrow, that subdues the heart; For vain his strife with, till at last He chose those chains to bind his conqueror fast. E'en the new Moon poured down a paler beam When her long fingers flashed their rosy gleam, And brighter than Asoka's rich leaves threw A glory round, like summer's evening hue. The strings of pearl across her bosom thrown Increased its beauty, and enhanced their own,— Her breast, her jewels seeming to agree, The adorner now, and now the adorned to be. When gazes on the fair full Moon, No Lotus charms her, for it blooms at noon: If on that flower she feed her raptured eye, No Moon is shining from the mid-day sky; She looked on face, more heavenly fair, And found their glories both united there.