Page:The Bengali Book of English Verse.djvu/60

28 A sister's love for thee hath wrought This silken tie so fair, That thou protected by the gods The deadly fray may'st share.

Thy flashing eyes full plainly tell Thou'lt not disgrace the band, If e'er the impetuous tide of war Roll where thy loved ones stand.

And sheath not, knight, thy gleaming blade, Till routed is the foe; And as the chaff before the wind, Before thy ranks they go.

And when by glorious Victory crowned Thou tread'st the bloody field, Spare, by my tears, the wounded foe; Be thou their help and shield.

But hark! the tocsin's quivering peal Bursts on my ear from far— Mount, mount thy steed that proudly neighs To join the ranks of war.