144 On the Ballads and Legends of the Punjab. [No. 2, 



And at the sight, within her breast the nature, love -subdued, 



Rallied in fierceness unreprest and yell'd aloud for blood. 



They sign her to that gulf of death ; with force to maniacs known 



She shrieking strove to plunge beneath and drag the slayer down. 



Foil'd by the hero's gentle might, with frenzied eye she spied 



His jewell'd dagger gleaming bright — snatch'd, plung'd it in her side. 



She droop'd — she sank without a sigh in those love-circling arms ; 



Peace scar'd wild frenzy from her eye, sooth' d all her soul's alarms. 



" Oh this is freedom, this is peace ! This, this is life," she cried, 



" Their taunts those dreadful shades surcease, at length I am thy 

 bride. 



" Thine for the brief, sweet, measur'd space, it costs life's tide to 

 flow, 



" Thine in this last, fond, close embrace, all, all I e'er must know : 



" Thine in fond memory's hallowing lore, thine, thine in every joy ; 



" Undimm'd by faults I deep deplore, my nature's dire alloy. 



" Nor think my step can be pursued, — beyond earth's bound doth 

 lie ; 



" A gulf surcharg'd with kindred blood ; there severing us for aye. 



" Farewell! farewell! I do not say, think on thy perish' d bride, 



" Her form shall blesa thee still by day, in dreams shall grace thy 

 side. 



" Nor deem 'tis senseless air ye clasp, in those encircling arms ; 



" Her love, defying death's cold grasp, survives these fleeting charms j 



" 'Twas all her worth, her soul's true dower, her heart's one trem- 

 bling plea, 



" Shade of thy nobler nature's power, thro' life 'twill follow thee. 



"Then press once more thy lips to mine — in this sweet, sacred 

 spell 



" Eeceive my parting breath to thine — thus, thus ! O bliss ! Fare- 

 well !" 



Conclusion. 

 Years past, but not the gloom of woe from good Eussaloo's breast, 

 Care timeless wrung his youthful brow and marr'd his spirit's rest. 



