Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/36

Go, Káma, go I thy flowery darts shall be
Crowned with success o'er this great Deity;
Yea, and thy task is e'en already done.
For praise and glory are that instant won
When a bold heart dares manfully essay
The deed which others shrink from in dismay,
Gods are thy suppliants, Kama, and on thee
Depends the triple World's security;
No cruel deed will stain thy flowery bow,
With all thy gentlest, mightiest valour, go!
And now. Disturber of the Spirit, see
Spring, thy beloved, will thy comrade be.
And gladly aid thee Siva's heart to tame—
None bids the whispering Wind, and yet he fans the flame."

He spake, and Kama bowed his bright head down,
And took his bidding like a flowery crown—
Above his wavy curls great Indra bent.
And fondly touched his soldier ere he went.
With that hard hand—but, O, how gentle now!—
That fell so heavy on his elephant's brow.
Then for that snow-crowned hill he turned away.
Where all alone the heavenly Hermit lay—
His fearful Reti and his comrade Spring
Followed the guidance of Love's mighty King—
There will he battle in unwonted strife.
Return a conqueror or be reft of life.

How fair was Spring!—to fill the heart with love,
And lure the Hermit from his thoughts above.
In that pure grove he grew so heavenly bright
That Káma's envy wakened at the sight.