Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/14

 Here, in former times, these sacred monkeys

In a lordly church were fondly cherished

By the tender care of pious Hindoos,

’Neath the goddess Durga’s patron hand:

But when Church and city fell to ruin,

By the guile of wicked foes deflowered,

They remained above the ruined city

Only dwellers in that lonely land.

Sated were they with the luscious fruitage

Of the forest lords whose green recesses

Rang from morn to eve enlivened by the

Dance and chatter of their apish fold.

These grotesque of body were, a long tail

Smartly clasped the branches like a lasso;

’Neath a front of irrepressive bristles

Peeped a mask of wholly human mould.

Much as other apes they lived and flourished,

Save obedient to divine prescription,

One of them was recognised their monarch

And the royal dignity began

And descended in unbroke succession

By inheritance from sire to sire,

Handed downward from the half-diving one,

Apedom’s glorious hero—Hanuman.

Hanuman the last was now, in childhood,

By his gracious mother fondly tended;

his virtues kindled every ape-heart

With the prescience of his future fame.