THE BIRTH OF THE WAR-GOD.
Canto First.
UMA'S NATIVITY.
Far in the north, Himálaya lifting high
His towery summits till they cleave the sky,
Spans the wide land from east to western sea,
Lord of the Hills, instinct with Deity.
For him, when Prithu ruled in days of old
The rich Earth, teeming with her gems and gold,
The vassal Hills, and Meru drained her breast.
And decked Himálaya, for they loved him best,
While Earth, the mother, gave her store to fill
With herbs and sparkling ores the royal Hill.
Proud Mountain-king! his diadem of snow
Dims not the beauty of his gems below;
For who can gaze upon the Moon, and dare
To mark one spot less brightly glorious there?—
Who, mid a thousand virtues, dares to blame
One shade of weakness in a hero's fame?
