THE BRAHMIN. 



135 



Till the full measure of offence made clear, 



Through matter's cloud the beams of Heaven appear, 



And the long penal expiation o'er, 



Man's soul resumes the form of man once more. 



For this, the Son of Bralima taught his race 



To reverence Life's minutest dwelling-place ; 



The smallest worm that crawls the dust, to spare, 



Nor harm the slightest fly that skims the air. 



From Murder's taint thy hand be undefiled ! 



At home, abroad, for Life is Brahma's child ; 



Ere world's began, from Him its spirit came. 



To Him returns the unextinguished flame. 



Oh, then beware ! each scene of slaughter fly. 



Nor from His shrine dislodge the deity I 



Perchance some brother's soul, some kindred mind, 



Thy guilty hand to suffering had designed, 



Withdraw that hand, — the tempter. Sin, refuse. 



Since heaven's just wrath the deed of death pursues ; 



Dread forfeit shalt thou pay — through forms of pain 



Ordained to pass, till anguish cleanse the stain, 



Till equal misery thy soul hath known. 



And pangs endured, for pangs thou gav'st atone. 



Through noisome beasts; and insects vile or weak. 



For rest in vain thy spark of life shall seek, 



A wandering outcast from yon spirit-sphere, 



Age after age the soul shall linger here : 



Think of the crime, the punishment it draws, 



Think, ere too late ; forbear the fatal cause ! 



From earthly sin thy mortal nature guard ; 



Immortal is thy piety's reward ! 



Bind not in chains of brutalizing sense, 



A ray of Brahma's pure intelligence, 



His will obey. His dread displeasure fear, 



And, even in thee, the latent God revere.'' 



His pupils round to calm attention awed, 



The holy Teacher's sacred law applaud ; 



As heaven's just will the eternal mandate heed 



And hold with faith unfeigned the Brahmin's creed. 



As day declined, to various rites addressed, 

 Each took the way that served his duties best; 



