136 On the Ballads and Legends of the Punjab. [No. 2. 



She bathes in aether soft above, in crystal clear below ; 



The stream hath dread to mar or move her shadow in its flow. 



The foliage, mass'd her form to wreathe amid the starlit sky, 



Droops round her in the flood beneath, where broad its masses lie. 



No lifeless pile of stone appear' d to greet Eussaloo's eye, 



But rather spirit shape rever'd, sweet, solemn company. 



And as the hero deeply gaz'd, a meteor large and bright 



From the high zenith glancing blaz'd, cleaving the void of night 



"With flood of crimson, green and gold and violet's softer ray : 



The glorious Orb majestic roll'd down heaven's star-spangled way j 



Linger' d above the fairy Fane as loth to quit her sight 



Then waveward led its glittering train and set in utter night. 



Eussaloo's heart throbb'dfull and high, he bless'd the gracious sign, 

 He hail'd that herald of the sky, fresh from the hand divine. 

 Adown the steepy cliff he sprang, attain' d the rolling tide, 

 Flash'd the bright wave ere yet the clang of arms and armour died. 

 His vigorous arm subdued the flood, which fled the strife, dismay'd, 

 And soon on that lone isle he stood, beneath the starlit shade ; 

 A pillar' d porch (26) of marble stone gave access to the shrine, 

 Whose massive obelisk purely shone, to lure to rites divine. 

 Within the cell hung wreathen flowers, a youthful mother's vow, 

 Had strung t' appease the gloomy powers, who govern death and woe, 

 He search' d the sacred area round, if outlet there might be ; 

 His foot an iron ring hath found, he grasps the massive key, 

 With force unknown to mortal wight upheaves the ponderous stone, 

 Whose weight had baffled human might for centuries unknown. 

 A flight of steps led darkling down, into the cold earth's breast, 

 A clammy wind with fitful moan, Eussaloo's sense opprest. 

 Yet without pause the dive is made, groping his rayless way, 

 Sole guide his bare, protruded blade, heaven's grace his only stay. 

 And thus for miles, that entrail dark, so narrow, dank and lone 

 He track'd, uncheer'd by faintest spark of light to guide him on. 



At length, when hope wan'd faint and low a distant gleam he spied, 

 Such ray the charnel oft will show, where rot man's power and pride. 

 And, as he (27) near'd the mystic light, two globes of dull, red fire, 

 Set in the rayless void of night, surmises strange inspire : 



