Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/66

Most guilty who the faithless speech begins,
But he who stays to listen also sins."
She turned away,—with wrath her bosom swelling.
Its vest of bark in angry pride repelling,—
But sudden, lo, before her wondering eyes
In altered form she sees the Sage arise;
'Tis Siva's self before the astonished Maid,
In all his gentlest majesty displayed;
She saw, she trembled'—like a river's course,
Checked for a moment in its onward force.
By some huge rock amid the torrent hurled
Where erst the foaming waters madly curled;
One foot uplifted—shall she turn away?
Unmoved the other—shall the Maiden stay?
The silver Moon on Siva's forehead shone,
While softly spake the God in gracious tone:—
"O gentle Maiden, wise and true of soul,
Lo, now I bend beneath thy sweet control!
Won by thy Penance, and thy holy vows.
Thy willing slave Siva before thee bows I"

He spake, and rushing through her languid frame
At his dear words returning vigour came;
She knew but this, that all her cares were o'er.
Her sorrows ended, she should weep no more!