Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/50

For thee and him beneath the spreading tree)
Now quickly raise the pile for Love and me!
And in thy mercy gentle breezes send
To fan the flame that wafts away thy friend,
And shorten the sad moments that divide
Impatient Káma from his Reti's side;
Set water near us in a single urn,
We'll sip in heaven from the same in turn,
And to his spirit let tliine offering be
Sprays fresh and lovely from the Mango tree,
Culled when the round young buds begin to swell,
For Káma loved those fragrant blossoms well."

A heavenly voice breathed round her from above
As Reti thus complained in faithful love.
Falling in pity like the gentle rain
That brings the dying herbs to life again: —
" Bride of the flower-armed God, thy lord shall be
Not ever distant, ever deaf to thee;
Give me thine ear, sad lady, I will tell
Why perished Káma, whom thou lovedst well —
The Lord of Life in every troubled sense
Too warmly felt his fair child's influence;
He quenched the fire, but mighty vengeance came
On Káma, fanner of the unholy flame;
When Siva by her penance won has led
Himálaya's daughter to her bridal bed,
His bliss to Káma shall the God repay
And give again the form he snatched away.
Thus did the gracious God, at Justice' prayer,
The term of Love's sad punishment declare—