Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/77

 O’er his bagpipes bends an hazel

Cheek, the son of southern lands,

And the whirling cymbals dazzle

In a black-eyed maiden’s hands.

Dressed in cloak of blue the piper,

On his hat are ribbands rosy,

His companion’s bust embellish

Many a brightly broidered posy,

Burn, allure with snaky lustre,

Languish those seductive eyes,

Stars Italian seem to cluster

’Neath their black-fringed canopies.

But oh! look! an ape all hoary,

Shows its teeth at the beholders

Sitting in a ball upon the

Blooming maiden’s sunny shoulders:

From his crouching body peeling

Flames a once embroidered vest,

From beneath his cap are stealing

Dreamy looks of vague unrest.

And he strangely fixes on me

Two mute ape-eyes interceding

To the well of tears within me,

Smites that glance so sickly pleading;

Hanuman, thy secret knowing,

I can feel thy fallen state,

And those tears so thickly flowing

From thine eyes, compassionate.