1854.] On the Ballads and Legends of the Punjab. 141 



Then on herself the thirsty blade with maniac fury bent, 



But his strong hand the weapon stay'd and marr'd her fell intent, 



Each fairy wrist with gentlest might resistless made his own, 



And calm'd her Passion's frantic might with reason's godlike tone, 



Till with emotion new opprest, o'eraw'd by reason's sway, 



She sank upon his bleeding breast and sobb'd her woes away. 



Fytte 4ith. 



On Sialkote's age-structur'd height and blood (29) cemented 

 towers 

 A thousand pennons nutter bright as Indra's bow of showers. 

 And the wide plains, afar and near, their teeming myriads yield, 

 And banner gay and glancing spear light up the peaceful field. 

 It is the young, sweet dream of spring, fair nature's jocund morn, 

 "When flowers cut down by winter's wing in youth renew'dare born. 

 The happy breeze (30) from some far land her exil'd Koel bears, 

 The Peeluk, (31) long by winter bann'd, back to her home repairs. 

 Like pebble (32) bounding o'er the ice, far thro' the echoing grove, 

 "Whose aisles resound the music thrice, that note of bliss and love, 

 Trills the Woodpecker's sylvan cry, while gleams his gay form, stol'd 

 In crimson rich and saffron dye and russett dropt with gold. 

 Aye and anon (33) fresh tumults stirr'd the feathery choir employ, 

 As back returns some banish'd bird and loud proclaims her joy. 



Wak'd from his downy couch of rest in far Tibetian snow, 

 The sun upheaves his golden crest and life-restoring brow, 

 His smile responds the shadowy grove, the verdure-vested plain, 

 Thro' tears, once sad, his waken' d love hath made all bright again. 

 Softly the corn (34) its emerald waves heaves to the breath of morn, 

 Each islet grove and castle laves, each gnarl'd and antique thorn. 

 The banners wave, the banners glow, far 'mid the dewy sky, 

 In air- tide soft and hush'd and low, as love's own delicate sigh. 

 Eair nature holds high jubilee, and man once more is gay 

 And hails (by that strong arm set free) Eussaloo's bridal-day. 



