Poems (Proctor)/In Old Siam
IN OLD SIAM.4
O the wonder! O the glory! Hunting deer by hill and glade,In the balm and flush of morning Down the woodland ways I strayed.Bright the lotus buds were blowing; Rose and jasmine wreathed the bowers;Every thicket rung with music; Dropped the dews in pearly showers.O the wonder! O the glory! Merit's ravishing reward! 'Neath a stately Bo-tree's shadow, Still as statue on the sward,
Stood the pure, celestial lord, The White Elephant, a Buddha!To the earth I fell and murmured, "Mighty one! how blest my fateIn the forest thus to find thee— I so low and thou so great!"Breathless then I sought the temple, Calling high o'er hymn and prayer,"Leave your chant, O priests, and offer Thanks and gifts beyond compare! What is Kandy's Tooth, or Footprint, To a living, present lord?—Tell the rulers! rouse the soldiers! Bid your fairest scribe record I have seen him on the sward, The White Elephant, a Buddha!"
How we bore him to the palace Down Meinam's rejoicing tide!—I a noble now and honored, Standing proud my King beside.Trumpets blew and cannon thundered; Chimed the sweet pagoda bells;On his forehead holy water Princes poured from jewelled shells;Every temple heaped its altars; Every town was wild with glee;So with song and shout and splendor To the palace home came he, To his shrine that fronts the sea,— The White Elephant, a Buddha!