Then how, unblamed, may mortal minstrel dare
To paint in words the beauty of that pair!
Around the fire in solemn rite they trod—
The lovely Lady and the glorious God;
Like Day and starry Midnight when they meet
In the broad plains at lofty Meru's feet.
Thrice at the bidding of the Priest they came
With swimming eyes around the holy flame;
Then at his word the Bride in order due
Into the blazing fire the parched grain threw,
And toward her face the scented smoke she drew,
While softly wreathing o'er her cheek it hung,
And round her ears in flower- like beauty clung.
As o'er the incense the sweet Lady stooped,
The ear of barley from her tresses drooped,
And rested on her cheek, beneath the eye
Still brightly beaming with the jetty dye.
"This flame be witness of your wedded life,—
Be just, thou Husband, and be true, thou Wife! "
Such was the priestly blessing on the Bride,—
Eager she listened, as the Earth when dried
By parching Summer Suns drinks deeply in
The first soft droppings when the rains begin.
"Look, gentle Uma," cried her Lord, "afar
Seest thou the brightness of yon polar star?
Like that unchanging ray thy faith must shine!"
Sobbing, she whispered, "Yes, for ever thine!"'
The rite is o'er—her joyful parents now
At Brahma's feet in duteous reverence bow:
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THE BIRTH OF THE WAR-GOD.
