104 AFOOT THROUGH THE 



As the afternoon wore away a pleasant coolness 

 replaced the earlier heat, and the soft light of stars 

 began to shine out from the soft, dark sky. I heard the 

 sad, monotonous tones of a native voice singing at some 

 distance. I started out, and, following the direction 

 of the sound, came to a small Mahomedan burying-place. 

 The great blue iris, always planted by them over the 

 graves of their loved ones, had finished flowering, and 

 walking round the little mounds was a tall, bowed figure 

 in the Pathan dress and cap, sprinkling rose petals 

 over them. Slowly he threw the handfuls of sweet- 

 scented leaves, and as he threw he chanted in saddest 

 tones 



Oh, stars that shine in this dear spot I love, 



And shine alike on heav'n's distant gates, 

 Send from your calm serenity above 



Sleep t' him, whom, sleepless here, despairing waits. 



Broken, forlorn, upon the desert sand 



That sucks these tears, and utterly abased, 



Looking across the lonely, level land 



With thoughts more desolate than any waste. 



Planets that shine on what I so adore 



Now laid for ever here in silent rest, 

 Protect that sleep, which I may watch no more, 



I the forsaken, left, and dispossessed. 



Loved with a love beyond all words or sense, 



Lost with a grief beyond the saltest tear. 

 So lovely, so removed, remote, and hence 



So doubly and so desperately dear. 



Stars ! from your skies so purple and so calm, 

 That through the centuries your secrets keep, 



Send to this worn-out heart some soothing balm, 

 Send me, for many nights so sleepless, sleep. 



