1854.] Ballads and Legends of the Punjab. 123 



On the Ballads and Legends of the Bunjab. Bifacimento of tlie 

 Legend of Russaloo. By Major J. Abbott. 



On Sealkote's embattled steep (1) his .daily woodcraft done (2) 

 Eussaloo lay in slumber deep, Sahl Byne's redoubted son. 

 A vision rose at dead of night, his guardian saint* appear' d, 

 His robe a web of dazzling light and silvery white his beard : 

 His brow was wreath' d with (3) Nurgisf flowers ; his staff extend- 

 ed far 

 "Where Oodinugri'sJ distant towers bask 'neath§ Canopus' star. 

 High rose from cot and palace fair, from tower and stately fane 

 The groans of thousands, weeping there, friends, lovers, children slain. 

 Seem'd it, as all the woes and tears, that ancient site which dower 

 From ages of unmemoried years, reviv'd in that drear hour ; 

 And listing deep, Eussaloo felt his generous nature glow, 

 And 'neath the starry heavens he knelt, and breathed his fervid vow. 

 " So help me all ye Heavenly Powers ! sun, moon refuse your light, 

 (i And golden-throned stars withdraw into the void of night ; 

 " Te winds, who waft on dewy wing spring's freshness, mountain born, 

 " The rosebud's fragrance careless fling, pure health from waving corn, 

 " Die 'mid the sweets your wing that cloy, nor fan my feverish brow ! 

 " Ye crystal springs whose thrill of joy, earth's azure arteries know, 

 " In steamy jets heaven's sapphire blot, or through earth's clefts 



subside 

 " And in hell's dismal caverns rot, a foul polluted tide ! 

 "And thou Pavahk, dread fire king, hear, recall each genial flame, 

 " That with thin air and water clear, upbuilds this mortal frame, 

 " If pleasant food my palate cheer, or slumber seal mine eye, 

 " Or minstrel harp shall soothe mine ear, with deeds of days gone by, 

 "Until the robber bite the dust, and heav'n's benignant ear 

 " Of mirth and joy, its sacred trust, not vainly list to bear." 



* Devarchies. Deified saints of Hindoo Mythology. 

 t Nurgis. The Narcissus, common in the North of the Punjaub. 

 + Oodinugri is the ancient name of Lahore according to tradition. 

 § Canopus in the Punjaub is seen but a few degrees above the Southern horizon, 

 and from Sealkote appears to hang over Lahore. 



