Who, ever and anon Spreading their crimson pennons, plunged below, Now, now, Deliverer! now, Kehama, now! 8. Oh, if that name abhorr'd, Thus utter'd, could well nigh Dismay the Powers of Hell, and daunt their Lord, How fearfully to Kailyal's ear it came ! Cover'd and press'd them close with both her hands. And Fate, whose secret and unerring pleasure An ample meed and recompense at length. High-fated Maid, the righteous hour is nigh! The all-embracing eye Of Retribution still beholdeth thee; Bear onward to the end, O Maid, courageously! 9. On roll'd the car, and lo! afar Upon its height the towers of Yamenpur Rise on the astonish'd sight. Behold the infernal City, Yamen's seat Of empire, in the midst of Padalon, Where the eight causeys meet. There, on a rock of adamant, it stood, Resplendent far and wide, Itself of solid diamond edified, And all around it roll'd the fiery flood. Eight bridges arch'd the stream; huge piles of brass Magnificent, such structures as beseem The Seat and Capital of such great God, Worthy of Yamen's own august abode. A brazen tower and gateway at each end Of each was raised, where Giant Wardens stood, Station'd in arms the passage to defend, That never foe might cross the fiery flood. 10. Oh, what a gorgeous sight it was to see The Diamond City blazing on its height With more than mid-sun splendor, by the light Of its own fiery river! Its towers, and domes, and pinnacles, and spires, Turrets and battlements, that flash and quiver Through the red, restless atmosphere forever; And hovering overhead, The smoke and vapors of all Padalon, Fit firmament for such a world, were spread, With surge, and swell, and everlasting motion, Heaving and opening like tumultuous ocean. 11. Nor were there wanting there Such glories as beseem'd such region well; For though with our blue heaven and genial air The firmament of Hell might not compare, As little might our earthly tempests vie With the dread storms of that infernal sky, Whose clouds of all metallic elements Sublimed were full. For, when its thunder broke, Not all the united World's artillery, In one discharge, could equal that loud stroke; And though the Diamond Towers and Battle ments Stood firm upon their adamantine rock, Floating amid the lurid air like snow, And with blue fire-drops rains on all below. And roar'd as with the sound 12. Straight to the brazen bridge and gate The self-moved Chariot bears its mortal load. At sight of Carmala, On either side the Giant Guards divide, And give the chariot way. Up yonder winding road it rolls along, Swift as the bittern soars on spiral wing, And lo! the Palace of the Infernal King! 13. Two forms inseparable in unity At that dread hour, from ominous conscience spring, And err not in their bodings. Therefore some, They who polluted with offences come, With lifted hands outspread, and shoulders bow'd Which he had won from Heaven, self-multiplied, Bending beneath the load. A fourth was wanting. They were of the hue Of coals of fire; yet were they flesh and blood, And living breath they drew; And their red eyeballs roll'd with ghastly stare, As thus, for their misdeeds, they stood tormented there. 15. On steps of gold those living Statues stood, Who bore the Golden Throne. A cloud behind Immovable was spread; not all the light Of all the flames and fires of Padalon Could pierce its depth of night. There Azyoruca veil'd her awful form In those eternal shadows: there she sat, And as the trembling Souls, who crowd around The Judgment-seat, received the doom of fate, Her giant arms, extending from the cloud, Drew them within the darkness. Moving out To grasp and bear away the innumerous rout, Forever and forever thus were seen The thousand mighty arms of that dread Queen. 16. Here, issuing from the Car, the Glendoveer Did homage to the God, then raised his head. Suppliants we come, he said, I need not tell thee by what wrongs oppress'd, For nought can pass on earth to thee unknown; Sufferers from tyranny we seek for rest, And Seeva bade us go to Yamen's throne; Here, he hath said, all wrongs shall be redress'd. Yamen replied, Even now the hour draws near, When Fate its hidden ways will manifest. Not for light purpose would the Wisest send His suppliants here, when we, in doubt and fear, The awful issue of the hour attend. The Almighty Man appear'd on every side. In the same indivisible point of time, At the eight Gates he stood at once, and beat The Warden-Gods of Hell beneath his feet; Then, in his brazen Cars of triumph, straight, At the same moment, drove through every gate. By Aullays, hugest of created kind, Fiercest, and fleeter than the viewless wind, His Cars were drawn, ten yokes of ten abreast, What less sufficed for such almighty weight? Eight bridges from the fiery flood arose, Growing before his way; and on he goes, And drives the thundering Chariot-wheels along, At once o'er all the roads of Padalon. 3. Silent and motionless remain The Asuras on their bed of pain, Waiting, with breathless hope, the great event. All Hell was hush'd in dread, Such awe that omnipresent coming spread; Nor had its voice been heard, though all its rout Innumerable had lifted up one shout; Nor, if the infernal firmament With their intensest blaze, the feebler fire Some blazing meteor fills the astonish'd night. 4. The Diamond City shakes! Is loosen'd with the shock ! The brazen portals, crumbling, fall to dust; Prone fall the Giant Guards Beneath the Aullays crush'd; On, on, through Yamenpur, their thundering feet The power of Fate and Sacrifice prevail'd, Had his triumphal seat. 5. Silent the Man-Almighty sat; a smile Gleam'd on his dreadful lips, the while, Dallying with power, he paused from following up His conquest, as a man in social hour Sips of the grateful cup, Again and yet again, with curious taste, Searching its subtile flavor ere he drink; Even so Kehama now forbore his haste, Having within his reach whate'er he sought. On his own haughty power he seem'd to muse, Pampering his arrogant heart with silent thought. Before him stood the Golden Throne in sight, Right opposite; he could not choose but see, Nor seeing choose but wonder. Who are ye Who bear the Golden Throne tormented there? He cried; for whom doth Destiny prepare The Imperial Seat? and why are ye but Three? 6. FIRST STATUE. I of the Children of Mankind was first, Me miserable! who, adding store to store, Heap'd up superfluous wealth; and now accurs'd, Forever I the frantic crime deplore. SECOND STATUE. I o'er my Brethren of Mankind the first Usurping power, set up a throne sublime, A King and Conqueror; therefore thus accurst, Forever I in vain repent the crime. THIRD STATUE. I on the Children of Mankind the first, In God's most holy name, imposed a tale Of impious falsehood; therefore thus accurst, Forever I in vain the crime bewail. 7. Even as thou here beholdest us, Here we have stood, tormented thus, Such countless ages, that they seem to be Long as eternity; And still we are but Three. A Fourth will come to share Our pain, at yonder vacant corner bear His portion of the burden, and complete The Golden Throne for Yamen's Judgment-seat. Thus hath it been appointed: he must be Equal in guilt to us, the guilty Three. Kehama, come! too long we wait for thee' 8. Thereat, with one accord, The Three took up the word, like choral song, Come, Rajah! Man-God! Earth's Almighty Lord! Kehama, come! we wait for thee too long. 9. A short and sudden laugh of wondering pride Burst from him in his triumph: to reply Scornful he deign'd not; but with alter'd eye, Wherein some doubtful meaning seem'd to lie, He turn'd to Kailyal. Maiden, thus he cried, I need not bid thee see How vain it is to strive with Fate's decree, When hither thou hast fled to fly from me, And lo! even here thou find'st me at thy side. Mine thou must be, being doom'd with me to share The Amreeta cup of immortality; Yea, by Myself I swear, It hath been thus appointed. Joyfully Join then thy hand, and heart, and will with mine, Nor at such glorious destiny repine, Nor in thy folly more provoke my wrath divine. It is within the Marble Sepulchre, The vanquish'd Lord of Padalon replied; Bid it be open'd. Give thy treasure up! Exclaim'd the Man-Almighty to the Tomb. And at his voice and look The massy fabric shook, and open'd wide. A huge Anatomy was seen reclined Within its marble womb. Give me the Cup! Again Kehama cried; no other charm Was needed than that voice of stern command. From his repose the ghastly form arose, Put forth his bony and gigantic arm, And gave the Amreeta to the Rajah's hand. Take! drink! with accents dread the Spectre said; For thee and Kailyal hath it been assign'd, Ye only of the Children of Mankind. 14. Then was the Man-Almighty's heart elate; This is the consummation! he exclaim'd; Thus have I triumphed over Death and Fate. Now, Seeva! look to thine abode ! Henceforth, on equal footing we engage, Alike immortal now; and we shall wage Our warfare, God to God! 15. Thus long the Glendoveer had stood Watching the wonders of the eventful hour, Amazed, but undismay'd; for in his heart Faith, overcoming fear, maintain'd its power. Nor had that faith abated, when the God Of Padalon was beaten down in fight; For then he look'd to see the heavenly might Of Seeva break upon them. But when now He saw the Amreeta in Kehama's hand, An impulse which defied all self-command In that extremity Stung him, and he resolved to seize the cup, And dare the Rajah's force in Seeva's sight. Forward he sprung to tempt the unequal fray, When, lo! the Anatomy With warning arm, withstood his desperate way, And from the Golden Throne the Fiery Three Again, in one accord, renew'd their songKehama, come! we wait for thee too long. 16. O fool of drunken hope and frantic vice! Madman! to seek for power beyond thy scope Of knowledge, and to deem Less than Omniscience could suffice The meed of evil! - yea, thou hast it now, Victim of thine own wicked heart's device; Thou hast thine object now, and now must pay the price. 17. He did not know the holy mystery Of that divinest cup, that as the lips Which touch it, even such its quality, Good or malignant: Madman! and he thinks The blessed prize is won, and joyfully he drinks. 18. Then Seeva open'd on the Accursed One His Eye of Anger: upon him alone The dreadful liquor works the will of Fate. Immortal he is made; but through his veins A stream of poison doth the Amreeta run, And while within the burning anguish flows, His outward body glows, Like molten ore, beneath the avenging Eye, 19. The Fiery Three, Beholding him, set up a fiendish cry, Come, Brother, come! they sung; too long Henceforth we bear no more The unequal weight. Come, Brother, we are Four! 20. Vain his almightiness, for mightier pain Subdued all power; pain ruled supreme alone; And yielding to the bony hand The unemptied cup, he moved toward the Throne, And at the vacant corner took his stand. Behold the Golden Throne at length complete, And Yamen silently ascends the Judgment-seat. 21. For two alone, of all mankind, to me Then said the Anatomy; The Man hath drank, the Woman's turn is next. She took the fated Cup; and, lifting up Ye heavenly Powers? as on her knees she fell, Ye know my innocent will, my heart sincere ; Ye govern all things still, And wherefore should I fear? 22. She said, and drank. The Eye of Mercy beam'd As sweetly as a Child, the undaunted cheerfulness that appeared in her countenance, the resolution with which she marched, washed herself, spoke to the people; the confidence with which she looked upon us, viewed her little cabin, made up of very dry millet-straw and small wood, went into this cabin, and sat down upon the pile, and took her husband's head into her lap, and a torch into her own hand, and kindled the cabin, whilst I know not how many Brahmans were busy in kindling the fire round about. To represent to you, [ say, all this as it ought, is not possible for me; I can at present scarce believe it myself, though it be but a few days since I saw it." They strip her ornaments away. — I. 11, p. 569. She went out again to the river, and taking up some water in her hands, muttered some prayers, and offered it to the sun. All her ornaments were then taken from her; and her armlets were broken, and chaplets of white flowers were put upon her neck and hands. Her hair was tucked up with five combs; and her forehead was marked with clay in the same manner as that of her husband. - STAVORINUS. Around her neck they leave The marriage-knot alone. — I. 11, p. 569. When the time for consummating the marriage is come, they light the fire Homan with the wood of Ravasiton. The Bramin blesses the former, which, being done, the bridegroom takes three handfuls of rice, and throws it on the bride's head, who does the same to him. Afterwards the bride's father clothes her in a dress according to his condition, and washes the bridegroom's feet; the bride's mother observing to pour out the water. This being done, the father puts his daughter's hand in his own, puts water into it, some pieces of money, and, giving it to the bridegroom, says, at the same time, I have no longer any thing to do with you, and I give you up to the power of another. The Tali, which is a ribbon with a golden head hanging at it, is held ready; and, being shown to the company, some prayers and blessings are pronounced; after which the bridegroom takes it, and hangs it about the bride's neck. This knot is what particularly secures his possession of her; for before he had had the Tali on, all the rest of the ceremonies might have been made to no purpose; for it has sometimes happened that when the bridegroom was going to fix it on, the bride's father has discovered his not being satisfied with the bridegroom's gift, when another, offering more, has carried off the bride with her father's cousent. But, when once the Tali is put on, the marriage is indissoluble; and whenever the husband dies, the Tali is burnt along with him, to show that the marriage bands are Whom neither thought disturbs nor care en- broke. Besides these particular ceremonies, the people have cumbers, Tired with long play, at close of summer day, Lies down and slumbers, Even thus, as sweet a boon of sleep partaking, By Yamen blest, Ladurlad sunk to rest. Blessed that sleep! more blessed was the waking! For on that night a heavenly morning broke; The light of heaven was round him when he woke; And in the Swerga, in Yedillian's Bower, All whom he loved he met, to part no more. NOTES. Calmly she took her seat. I. 10, p. 560. "SHE," says Bernier, "whom I saw burn herself, when I parted from Surat to travel into Persia, in the presence of Monsieur Chardin of Paris, and of many English and Dutch, was of a middle age, and not unhandsome. To represent unto you notice of the wedding by a Pandal, which is raised before the bride's door some days before. The whole concludes with an entertainment which the bride's father gives to the common friends; and during this festivity, which continues five days, alms are given to the poor, and the fire Homan is kept in. The seventh day, the new-married couple set out for the The bride and bridegroom are carried in a sedan, pass through bridegroom's house, whither they frequently go by torchlight. the chief streets of the city, and are accompanied by their friends, who are either on horseback or mounted on elephants. -A. ROGER. They force her on, they bind her to the dead. — I. 12, p. 569. 'Tis true, says Bernier, that I have seen some of them, which, at the sight of the pile and the fire, appeared to have some apprehension, and that perhaps would have gone back. Those demons the Bramins that are there with their great sticks, astonish them, and hearten them up, or even thrust them in; as I have seen it done to a young woman, that retreated five or six paces from the pile, and to another, that was much disturbed when she saw the fire take hold of her clothes, these executioners thrusting her in with their long poles. At Lahor, I saw a very handsome and a very young woman burnt; I believe she was not above twelve years of age. This |