Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/66

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Upon those trampling elephants,
    Who to their silvery sounding bells
Through jungles deep, with stately pace,
And step unerring, lead the chase.
Some are equipped with howdahs, where
    The lavish hand has richly wrought
Crimson and gold; while others bear
    Encaged the spotted leopards, taught
With the majestic stag to cope,
Or spring upon the antelope.
Nor these alone the chief enlists
To aid his sport; for on the wrists
Of falconers, with pride elate
The regal birds in haughty state
Sit throned like kings; or soaring high
O'er their devoted victims fly,
A single instant hovering,
Then stooping down with steady wing
Upon the quarry's head alight,
    Who blinded, and with struggling weak