1S61-] 
Indian Idylls, Ho. I. 
127 
S'aciii and Indea, in their home above, 
Were not more blest in their Jayanta’s love. 
Not Uiia, when her new-born darling smiled ; 
Not S'iva, joying in his warrior-child. 
True as the Love-birds, in whose faithful breasts, 
Save of their partners, not a thought e’er rests, 
Thus had they lived ; and now this infant came 
To share their love, and yet increase the flame. 
What joy thrilled through him when the father heard 
His dear boy lisping forth his earliest word ; 
And, held and guided by the nurse’s hand, 
Saw him salute his sire and try to stand ! 
And, when he clasped his baby to his breast, 
And trembling kisses on his lips impressed, 
He learnt at length that inexpressive joy 
None but a father knows who clasps his own dear boy. 
Now time flew by ; he wore the sacred cord, 
And holy men his mind with wisdom stored, 
Till, as the Sun-God in his car on high 
Races his storm-fleet coursers through the sky. 
He passed triumphant through the four-fold lore, 
That mighty sea, from shore to distant shore. 
In early manhood’s prime, his father’s care 
Gained him the hands of maidens young and fair, 
Then fairer far than ever, each dear grace 
Stealing new beauty from their lover’s face ; 
Like Daksha’s daughters,* whom the Lord of Night 
Dowers with a portion of his own sweet light. 
Soon as Dilxpa saw his heir was fit, 
In sense and learning, by his side to sit, 
He made him partner of his royal throne, 
And shared the weight he long had borne alone. 
As Beauty seeks the opening lotus-bud, 
And quits the flower that long has decked the flood ; 
So Fortune left the father for the son, 
And lived his consort by his virtues won. 
* DalcsJia had sixty daughters, of whom twenty-seven are the nymphs who 
form the lunar asterisms, and wives of the moon. 
