Gray's Tomb. 93 



lieve but that there are many women who would pre- 

 fer to share the fate of men who die. There is such 

 love on earth. Sujatas are not confined to India. As 

 she says : 



" But if Death called Sendni, I should mount 



The pile and lay that dear head in my lap, 



My daily way, rejoicing when the torch 



Lit the quick flame and rolled the choking smoke. 



For it is written, if an Indian wife 



Die so, her love shall give her husband's soul 



For every hair upon her head, a crore 



Of years in Swerza." 



I think I know women who would esteem it a mercy 

 to be allowed to pass away with Jiiin, if the Eternal had 

 not set his " canon 'gainst self-slaughter." This prohi- 

 bition the Indian wots not of, but mounts the pile be- 

 lieving as thoroughly as Abraham did when he placed 

 Isaac on the altar, that God wills it so. They were 

 equally mistaken ; and this suggests that we may all be 

 very much surprised when we come to understand 

 rightly, how very seldom the unknown requires any 

 sacrifice of what is pleasing to us in this present world 

 of his. It seems to me it is not God but men who are 

 disposed to make the path so very thorny. 

 Upon Gray's own tomb there is inscribed : 

 " One morn I missed him on the accustomed hill, 

 Along the heath, and near his favorite tree ; 

 Another came, nor yet beside the rill, 

 Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he." 



