Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/83

Then at her Mother's hest, the Maid adored
The spirit of each high ancestral Lord,
Nor failed she next the noble Dames to greet,
And give due honour to their reverend feet.
They raised the Maiden as she bowed her head —
" Thine be the fulness of his love! "—they said;
Half of his being, blessing high as this
Can add no rapture to her perfect bliss.
Well-pleased Himálaya viewed the pomp and pride
Meet for his daughter, meet for Siva's bride.
Then sought the Hall with all his friends to wait
The bridegroom's coming with a Monarch's state.

Meanwhile by Heavenly Matrons' care displayed
Upon Kuvera's lofty mount were laid
The ornaments of Siva, which of yore
At his first nuptials Pura's conqueror wore;
He laid his hand upon the dress, but how
Shall robes so sad, so holy, grace him now?

His own dire vesture took a shape as fair
As gentle bridegroom e'er could wish to wear—
The withering scull that glazed the eye with dread,
Shone a bright coronal to grace his head;
That Elephant's hide the God had worn of old
Was now a silken robe inwrought with gold;
Ere this his body was with dust besprent.
Soft unguent now it shed delightful scent;
And that mid-eye which glittering like a star
Shot the wild terror of its glance afar—
So softly now its golden radiance beamed—
A mark of glory on his forehead seemed.