114 
[No. 2, 
Indian Idylls , Xo. I. 
With silence, wise ; with might, to anger slow ; 
A lavish monarch, hut averse from show. 
Skilled in all lore, unharmed by Pleasure’s sway, 
He grew in years but felt no power decay ; 
His people’s father, guardian, friend, and guide, 
Their sires were others : he was all beside. 
Thus, as he ruled his kingdom to maintain, 
And married wives a father’s joy to gain, 
No selfish aims his noble spirit knew, 
For Virtue formed his Gain and Pleasure too. 
To gladden Heaven with gifts the earth he drained ; 
On earth, in answer, gracious Indka* rained : 
And thus to each a glorious boast was given, 
That Indba fostered earth, Dilipa Heaven. 
What other prince this lofty praise could claim, 
That theft was only, in his realm, a name ? 
He honoured merit, though it graced a foe, 
As sick men medicine’s healing influence know ; 
While worthless friends were banished from his sight, 
Like fingers poisoned by a serpent’s bite. 
The good Creator made, for all to share, 
The earth and water, ether, fire and air : 
Thus too he formed Dilipa, sent to bless, 
And find his own in others’ happiness. 
He ruled the earth, from rival sceptre free, 
Like one vast city girdled by the sea. 
His queen was daughter of the royal race 
Of Magadii, lovely botli in mind and face, 
And, if his love was shared by girls besides, 
She and dear Fortune were his only brides. 
One boon was wanting to the monarch’s joy ; 
His were all blessings save that best, a boy. 
Oh, how he longed, that childless king, to see 
A royal infant smiling on her knee, 
* The Hindu Jupiter . — “ Oblations offered in fire ascend to the sun, from the 
sun rain is produced, from rain corn, and thence spring mankind.” Wilson’s 
Rig Veda, vol. i. p. 248 n. 
