1854.] On tlie Ballads and Legends of the Punjab* 127 



" Thou could'st not cross his blade in fight, nor live before his frown. 

 " A monstrous race, of gods and men, the mis'd and spurious (11) 



brood, 

 " The cavern'd mountain serves their den> man's flesh their daily food; 

 " The winds, the lightnings half obey spells taught of their dread sire, 

 " They walk in whirlwinds heaven's highway, yclad in clouds and fire. 

 " Four brothers form the monstrous rout, the least of mountain height, 

 " Chindia, Pehoon, and Pugrbutt, and Tera fourth in might ; 

 " A sister young, Beera nam'd, their monstrous banquets shares, 

 " For more than mortal beauty fam'd, for wiles and deadliest snares. 

 " The warrior finds her weeping sad, beneath the greenwood tree, 

 " They've robb'd and left a hapless maid, woe, woe alas ! is me ;" 

 u He bids her mount his gallant steed, her arms around him throw : 

 " That serpent clasp shall ne'er be freed, till droops thy lifeless brow : 

 " Away, away, like meteor fly, pale corse and laughing grace, 

 " A fair day's sport : who next will try the young maid's soft embrace? 

 " Daily the lot our rulers cast for victim young and fair, 

 " To serve the Rakuss' foul repast, that he our city spare. 

 " Six times upon this widow' d head hath fall'n the fatal lot ; 

 " Again the dire decree is sped my heart's last joy to blot. 

 " No eye regards the widow lone, none hears the orphan's plain, 

 " The heart of man is granite stone, and heaven looks down in vain." 



" Cease woman," cried the prince severe, " blaspheme not heaven's 

 dread love, 

 " The widow's prayer, the orphan's tear shrine in the courts above. 

 " And if heaven touch man's stony heart, it melts to tenderest mood, 

 " The timorous acts the hero's part and courts the feast of blood. 

 " Commit thy child to heaven's blest care, put up thy vows for me, 

 "For I am sworn his lot to share, to bless or die (12) with thee." 



She fell before his noble feet, with kisses bath'd and tears, 

 " But go not forth," she cried, "to meet the doom my soul for-fears ; 

 " Thou could'st not save my hapless child, would' st share the dire 



decree, 

 " One added woe were o'er me pil'd t' have curst and blighted thee." 



