ABSTRACT
[…] Twelve stately Elephants a front combine In mimic war – a formidable line! Unhowdahed all save two – the rest appear With padded backs, the vassal-throng to bear. Some to their belted waist the Tulwar hung,a 5 And some the Matchlock o’er the shoulder flung, And bows were seen – and javelins too were there, Weapons, that more for show, than use they wear! And thus disposed, in order due, they sweep Through that wild forest, measureless and deep. 10 Here, overbowering with extended shade, The Indian fig-tree’s giant boughs outspreadb Network, that intercepts the clear blue sky – A leaf and berry-woven canopy The Hurrial loves, whose gold and emerald plumesc 15 Outblush the richest dyes of Delhi’s looms. Here, numerous sons support with filial armsd The sire, re-juvenescing in their charms: Amidst those long and dim-illumined glades Formed by a line of interlaced arcades, 20 And pillared roofs, like some vast Gothic pile’s 166Enclustering columns, or cathedral aisles, We wind along – where many a creeper trailsa Its threads of gold, and flowers of every hue; But ’tis the light of heaven’s cerulean blue 25 Which most they borrow for the downcast eye, Half-closed, as surfeited with ecstacy. Here, too, the ringlets of the clambering vine,b And odorous jasmine, might be seen to twine Their intermingling tendrils mid the boughs 30 Where thousand Googoos plight their amorous vows,c And like a robe’s rich drapery mantle o’er The branches rough, and trunks with gray moss hoar. Mixed with the Nihm, and Peepul’s darker green, The Sissoe’s silver-fibred leaves are seen: 35 And bright Acanthus: – and Acacias pale, Whose buds – and flowers – and seeds – repeat a tale Of human life – and image forth the year’s Successive seasons. – there the Jhow appears To hang its yellow clustering bells, that bloom 40 In shape, and perfume, like our native broom. The Brahman’s sacred bird here takes his flight,d And spreads his Argus tail of rainbow-light, Proud of its glories. – here the Teetur springs, Whistling its song of praise on whirring wings,e 45 Whose jetty plumes are spangled o’er with eyes Minutely penciled, of the softest dyes. With flagging pinions that can scarce sustain His bulk – slow booms the unwieldy Floriken. But soon with course more rapid – flight more strong, 50 E’en to the horizon’s verge he sweeps along Over that infinite expanse – and there, Were myriad nameless habitants of air Of sun-beams born, that as they float – unfold Their gossamer wings of purple – azure – gold. 55 167With measured steps, and trunks that feel their way, The Elephants advance – awhile it lay Where thorny brakes, and complicated boughs Athwart the defile stretched, their track oppose, Whose rock-worn sides and deeply-channelled course 60 Betray how vast the rain-swoln torrent’s force. Now, on the edge precipitous and steep Of jagg’d ravines, crumbling, and dark, and deep, Is traced the Tiger’s foot-fall – many a dell Nullah and thick Patalah echoing tella 65 Of disappointed hopes – and now it lay, Where, isolated masses, bare, and gray, Of fissured granite, frown upon the way. Mark those tall reeds, and withered grass, retreat He loves to lair in, sheltered from the heat! 70 As slowly onward to the bounds they passed Of that lone jungle, once a watery waste, Slinks forth the Jackall, who with yell of fear Startles the twilight’s dull reposing ear;b And shaggy wolf oft turning round to gaze 75 With look of fearless fierceness in the face. And those gaunt Brutes whose felon eyes betrayc Their loathsome trade, that shuns the light of day, To rifle dead men’s mouldering bones, and steal The refuse of the glutted Vulture’s meal. – 80 There too, the Nyl-Ghau bounds, or stops to viewd If that strange route her timid steps pursue: How soft! how exquisitely dark the hue Of her large, languishing, and tender eyes, Seen through their long and fringed canopies, 85 The silken bars of Man’s caged soul; and well Did Persia’s poet feel their master-spell, The all of passion speaks in the Gazelle!2 See! where tall groves of intricate Bamboos Their onward course with barrier green oppose; 90 So strong that wall – their elephants recoil, 168And every effort of their drivers foil: Till Doorgah stemmed the tide – her trunk – her breast Soon oped a thorny vista for the rest. A different scene succeeds – on every hand 95 Vast Muhts, and piles – wreck of a City, stand:a As musing, and with anxious search, we pass Amid the tangled briars, and rustling grass Of its once opulent Bazaars – the tread Awakes the Naga, instant seen to spreadb The poison-terrors of his crested head; 100 Here, Boas drag their lengthening folds along,c Or whip-snakes twist, and dart the forked tongue. Within its palaces, the birds of night Dwell undisturbed – and hoot in dire affright, Wondering, that man should venture to intrude 105 On this their silent reign of solitude. With flapping wings, and screamings heard afar, The Curlew startled leaves his lone Minaar: – 3 A Falcon heard – who hovering through the day, Had marked our track, expectant of his prey; 110 He missed his swoop – but instant through the skies Amid the quarry’s loud and piercing cries They both ascend – more upward seen to rise The dissonant curlew – more majestic sails The hawk, in circle widening as he scales: 115 A surer far – but not as rapid flight – Which, when the foe perceived – he wheeled to right, As foiled – or though he scorned the vain pursuit: But not the less the curlew’s wails are mute, Nor less relaxed her efforts at that feint – 120 For well did her instinctive terrors paint His beak relentless, and that wing’s strong force That flags not in its unremitting course. – Too just her fears! – for now, around – around – With ever circling net, the falcon wound 125 Inextricable toils about his prey: Below! – no tank appeared – no marshes lay, Down-plunging in whose waters, she might meet Hid in their friendly flood, a safe retreat. Lessening, and ever lessening to the sight, 130 Scarce can the eye in that aerial height Trace the swift progress of their arrowy flight; Now seen, but as their shifting plumage gleams, And sparkles in the sun’s meridian beams; Now, but two specks appear in heaven’s pale blue, 135 And now the brain grows dizzy with the view: Whilst yet is heard at intervals, on high, The exhausted curlew’s faint and desolate cry; Her destined hour is come! – and swifter far Than fiery rocket – or descending star, 140 Both, in one orb involved, are dashed beneath, Indissolubly locked in one embrace of death.a
