Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/23

Then the great Deity who gives the prize
Of penance, prayer, and holy exercise,
As though to earn the meed he grants to man,
Himself the penance and the pain began.
Now to that holy Lord, to whom is given
Honour and glory by the Gods in Heaven,
The worship of a gift Himálaya paid.
And towards his dwelling sent the lovely maid;
Her task, attended by her youthful train.
To woo his widowed heart to love again.

The Hermit welcomed with a courteous brow
That gentle enemy of hermit vow—
The still pure breast where Contemplation dwells
Defies the charmer and the charmer's spells —
Calm and unmoved he dewed the wondrous maid,
And bade her all his pious duties aid;
She culled fresh blossoms at the God's command,
Sweeping the altar with a careful hand,
The holy grass for sacred rites she sought,
And day by day the fairest water brought;
And if the unwonted labour caused a sigh.
The fair-haired lady turned her languid eye
Where the pale Moon on Siva's forehead gleamed.
And swift through all her frame returninig vigour streamed.