The Bengali Poem y Candi. 
43 
Of lac the struts and tie-beams every one, 
Of lac the roof and all that’s laid thereon. 
The house thus built, away the builders went, 
"While all the guild gaze on in wonderment; 
‘‘Her honour ’s stainless,” e’en Kilambar saith, 
“Who ’scapes unscathed from such a certain death.” 
But Khullana, at the novel risk dismayed, 
Turns to her old protectress for new aid. 
The goddess hears her prayer of anxious dread, 
And gently lays her hand upon her head; 
And tears of joy from Khullana’s eyes o’erflow 
As she pours forth the story of her woe. 
Awhile the goddess muses; then her will 
Calls Eire himself to avert the threatened ill. 
Swift at her bidding mighty Agni came, 
Eager to know what service she would claim. 
“ The fiery test my votary is to brave; 
Lo, I entrust her in thy hands to save.” 
He answered: “ Cool as sandal will I be ; 
Thy bidding is my highest dignity.” 
Then as a pledge to bid her fears begone, 
In Khullana’s hand he lightly placed his own ; 
’T was cold,—she shrank not as the fingers kissed, 
Hot e’en the lac* was melted on her wrist. 
Around her neck the goddess’ wreath she wore; 
And as she stepped within the fatal door 
She fired the hall: the flames spread far and wide, 
Swelled to the roof and soared aloft outside. 
Erom her chaste body, lo ! their tongues retire, 
Cold as the sandal is that blasting fire. 
* Hindu women often wear rings on their wrists made of shell-lac. 
