Page:The Bengali Book of English Verse.djvu/33



Glorious river! thee of yore Siva on his tresses bore, When thou didst thy rapid flow Take unto this world below, From the peak of Himalay, Where thy lucid waters stray, Dispensing to the gods above Purity and holy love.

Propitious river! by thy grace Royal Sagar's numerous race, Though burned to ashes by the fire Of the saintly sage's ire, Enjoyed the bright, unchanging hours, Smiling round the emerald bowers, And bringing in the heavenly sphere Joys which only circle there.

Holy stream! thou dost bestow Freedom from each earthly woe, Destroying all the sins that be Pertaining to humanity, And ensure at being's close, Sweet and undisturbed repose. Nay! even the deities love to lave Their forms of glory in thy wave.

Beauteous river! on thy spray The lotos famed in ancient lay—