1 8G1 .] 
Indian Idylls, No. I. 
His conquering arm : for ne’er had mortal foe 
Staid the fierce tempest of his vengeful bow ; 
And even Ijtdea, with his hand raised high 
To launch his bolt, was cheeked by S'iva’s eye. 
“ Foolish,” he said, “ my words may seem to he, 
Yet will I speak, for minds are known to thee. 
That God is ever by my soul adored, 
Maker, Preserver and Destroying Lord ; 
But how can I, unblamed, my charge neglect, 
This helpless creature whom the saints respect ? 
Hear, King of Beasts, my prayer, and, if thou wilt, 
Feed on my blood, but let not her’s be spilt ! 
Her calf will mourn her at the hour of eve, 
Then take my life ; the Cow uninjured leave !” 
The lion with a smile his answer gave, 
His bright teeth flashing through the murky cave : 
“ Ay, mad I deem thee, monarch, to resign 
Thy youth, thy life, and that fair form of thine, 
And universal empire ; these to give, 
All these for ever, that a cow may live. 
Dost thou love creatures ? While thy death, 0 Kin 
To this one cow a longer life will bring, 
Blest by thy reign a thousand homes would be, 
For all thy people look to only thee ! 
Live and be happy ! Power and might bestow 
Joy like a God’s, and make a Heaven below ! 
But if thou tremblest at thy master’s ire, 
And fearest anger that consumes like fire, 
Instead of her ten thousand others give 
With teeming udders, that thy soul may live.” 
The lion ceased. The mountain’s hollow side 
Echoed his counsel ere the Prince replied : 
“ What ! shall a King forsake — unkingly deed — 
The helpless suppliant in her hour of need ? 
Shall I disgrace a monarch’s proudest name, 
And barter glory for a life of shame ‘l 
How can the gift of other cows assuage 
The just resentment of the holy Sage ? 
