Page:The Bengali Book of English Verse.djvu/45

Rh Midst rose and lily scatter'd round That blush'd as if on fairy ground, Bright maidens fair as those above Sang softly—for they sang of Love.

But there was one—a monarch he— Came not to that high revelrie: They said he once had sought to gain That chieftain's daughter but in vain; And that his slighted love had taught Hate, deathless, deep and unforgot: Such as the bosom's inmost core Will darkly nurse for ever-more: Such as will ever fiercely blight Love, Friendship, Mercy—all that's bright And gilds Life's path with starry light, And parts but with the latest breath That heaves the breast embrac'd by Death! Perchance this was a whisper'd lie— An idle tale—foul calumny. Yet—tho' Inquiry all around Breath'd from each hurried look and sound— Why comes he not?—once in this hall, Now gay with blithesome festival, How oft he came—a welcome guest, Best lov'd—best cherish'd—honour'd best?' Calm was that chieftain's brow and stern From which conjecture naught could learn: Yes—calm it was as is the grave Or some unruffl'd slumbering wave.

But suddenly a warrior shell In loud defiance rose and fell; As if the Thunderer from on high, To crush vain mortals met below,