Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/37

As though it were her beauty's right;
Or the sweet trembler by her side
    Shrinking abashed with modest grace,
And striving all in vain to hide
    The blush upon her unveiled face.
Their muslin robes are wrought with gold,
    The Syah's hem beset with spangles,
And bright the Ornee's shining fold,
    And richly gemmed the glittering Bangles.
Benares' far-famed webs have vied
    With Persia's rarest, finest loom;
And for the last time each fair bride
    Has gazed upon her beauty's bloom
In fitting pomp arrayed—too soon
    Their fleet career of life must fly;
Ere they have reached their summer's noon,
    This lovely pair are doomed to die—
Each soft chime from their anklets' bells
Is ringing out their funeral knells.