INFANTICIDE. 
101 
Of leafy boughs unending, 
Upshooting, spreading, and descending, 
A lakelet, small and clear, 
Reflects the emerald-tinted atmosphere. 
Around the dark brown trunks gay blossoms creep ; 
From twig to twig the lively squirrels leap ; 
Birds of gay plumage and sweet song 
The laden branches throng ; 
And stately peacocks through the long grass move : 
Already to their light and graceful toils, 
The women gather ’neath the fragrant grove, 
Spinning the white line from the fleecy spoils 
Of yon rich fields which, far away. 
Lie basking in the opening day. 
All golden as the beams which o’er them play. 
Apart from all — the silver lake beside. 
Which mirroreth her charms with eager pride, 
What form appears, as motionless and fair, 
As marble image wrought by chisel rare; 
Graceful as the areca , with long hair 
Entwined by gems and flowers, and loosely flung 
Back from the white and polished brow, which bears 
Impress of sorrow, keen and gathering cares, 
Unmeet for one so lovely and so young. 
Her silken robe of ample fold. 
Scarce shows the fairy foot and ancle slender, 
Circled by glittering stones and ring of gold ; 
For earth and sea their spoils surrender, 
To deck the wife of Menon bold, 
The wealthy and well-born. 
Across her bosom, closely drawn, 
k 3 
