Page:The Bengali Book of English Verse.djvu/45

Midst rose and lily scatter'd round
That blush'd as if on fairy ground,
Bright maidens fair as those above
Sang softly—for they sang of Love.
*⁠*⁠*⁠*
⁠But there was one—a monarch he—
Came not to that high revelrie:
They said he once had sought to gain
That chieftain's daughter but in vain;
And that his slighted love had taught
Hate, deathless, deep and unforgot:
Such as the bosom's inmost core
Will darkly nurse for ever-more:
Such as will ever fiercely blight
Love, Friendship, Mercy—all that's bright
And gilds Life's path with starry light,
And parts but with the latest breath
That heaves the breast embrac'd by Death!
Perchance this was a whisper'd lie—
An idle tale—foul calumny.
Yet—tho' Inquiry all around
Breath'd from each hurried look and sound—
'⁠Why comes he not?—once in this hall,
'⁠Now gay with blithesome festival,
'⁠How oft he came—a welcome guest,
'⁠Best lov'd—best cherish'd—honour'd best?'
Calm was that chieftain's brow and stern
From which conjecture naught could learn:
Yes—calm it was as is the grave
Or some unruffl'd slumbering wave.

⁠But suddenly a warrior shell
In loud defiance rose and fell;
As if the Thunderer from on high,
To crush vain mortals met below,