Canto Fourth.
RETI'S LAMENT.
Sad, solitary, helpless, faint, forlorn,
Woke Káma's darling from her swoon to mourn;
Too soon her gentle soul returned to know
The pangs of widowhood—that word of woe!
Scarce could she raise her, trembling, from the ground,
Scarce dared to bend her anxious gaze around,
Unconscious yet those greedy eyes should never
Feed on his beauty more—gone, gone for ever.
"Speak to me Káma! why so silent? give
One word in answer—doth my Káma live? "
There on the turf his dumb cold ashes lay.
That fiery flash has scorched the soul away.
She clasped the dank earth in her wild despair.
Her bosom stained, and rent her long bright hair,
Till hill and valley caught the mourner's cry.
And pitying breezes echoed sigh for sigh.
"Oh thou wast beautiful—fond lovers sware
Their own bright darlings were like Káma, fair;
