18G1.] Indian Idylls, No. I. I L 5 
Tall and broad-shouldered, stout and strong of limb, 
Valour incarnate fixed her throne in him. 
Matchless in beauty and heroic might, 
He towered like Meeu* in his lofty height. 
Meet for his godlike form, his noble mind 
To worthy studies in his youth inclined : 
Thence great designs inspired his generous soul, 
And mighty deeds with glory crowned the whole. 
With kingly virtues, gentle yet severe, 
His subjects loved him, but they loved in fear : 
We love the pearls that lie ’neath ocean’s waves, 
But dread the monsters in his gloomy caves. 
His loving people followed him, their guide, 
Nor turned from Miiru’st Law one step aside ; 
And well they knew the tax they gladly paid • 
For their advantage on the realm was laid. 
The bounteous sun delights to drink the lakes, 
But gives ten thousand-fold the wealth he takes. 
Though troops in harness ranged before his gate 
Kept watch and ward to swell his royal state, 
Yet all success, each triumph o’er the foe, 
Sprang from his wisdom or his ready bow. 
Prudent and calm, no tell-tale look revealed 
His secret thoughts from every eye concealed ; 
As, in the present life, our joys and woes 
Our former virtues and our crimes disclose, 
So, crowned -with full success, events alone 
Proved his wise plans and made his counsels known. 
He honoured prudence though he scorned to fear ; 
Youthful and strong, his virtue was sincere. 
He gathered riches, but he freely gave, 
And Pleasure blessed him, but could ne’er enslave. 
Contrasted virtues, ceasing to contest, 
Reigned, like fond sisters, in the prince’s breast ; 
* The sacred mountain, in the centre of the seven continents, 
t The Moses of the Hindus. 
