Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/85

Gilding his brows, as though bright Ganga rolled
Adown his holy head her waves of gold.
She in her Goddess-shape divinely fair,
And Yamuna, sweet River-Nymph, were there.
Fanning their Lord, that fancy still might deem
Swans waved their pinions round each Lady of the Stream.
E'en Brahma came—Creator—Lord of Might,—
And Vishnu glowing from the realms of light;
"Ride on!" they cried, " thine, thine for ever be
The strength, the glory, and the victory! "
To swell his triumph that high blessing came
Like holy oil upon the rising flame.
In those Three Persons the one God was shown,
Each First in place, each Last,—not one alone;
Of Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, each may be
First, second, third, among the Blessed Three.
By Indra led, each World-upholding Lord
With folded hands the mighty God adored,—
In humble robes arrayed, the pomp and pride
Of glorious Deity were laid aside;
They signed to Nandi, and the favourite's hand
Guided his eye upon the suppliant band.
He spake to Vishnu, and on Indra smiled,
To Brahma bowed—the Lotus' mystic child;
On all the hosts of heaven his friendly eye
Beamed duly welcome as they crowded nigh.
The Seven Great Saints their blessings o'er him shed,
And thus in answer, with a smile, he said: —
"Hail, mighty Sages! hail, ye Sons of Light!
My chosen Priests to celebrate this rite."