om Eden's fountain, when it lies 20
On the blue flower, which--Brahmins say--
Blooms nowhere but in Paradise.
"Nymph of a fair, but erring line!"
Gently he said,--"One hope is thine.
'Tis written in the Book of Fate, 25
_The Peri yet may be forgiven
Who brings to this Eternal Gate
The Gift that is most dear to Heaven!_
Go, seek it, and redeem thy sin:
'Tis sweet to let the Pardoned in!" 30

Downward the Peri turns her gaze,
And, through the war-field's bloody haze,
Beholds a youthful warrior stand
Alone, beside his native river,--
The red blade broken in his hand, 35
And the last arrow in his quiver.
"Live," said the conqueror, "live to share
The trophies and the crowns I bear!"
Silent that youthful warrior stood--
Silent he pointed to the flood 40
All crimson with his country's blood,
Then sent his last remaining dart,
For answer, to th' invader's heart.

False flew the shaft, though pointed well;
The tyrant lived, the hero fell! 45
Yet marked the Peri where he lay,
And when the rush of war was past,
Swiftly descending on a ray
Of morning light, she caught the last,
Last glorious drop his heart had shed, 50
Before its free-born spirit fled!

"Be this," she cried, as she winged her flight,
"My welcome gift at the Gates of Light."
"Sweet," said the Angel, as she gave
The gift into his radiant hand, 55
"Sweet is our welcome of the brave
Who die thus for their native land.--
But see--alas!--the crystal bar
Of Eden moves not--holier far
Than e'en this drop the boon must be, 60
That opes the Gates of Heaven for thee!"

But nought can charm the luckless Peri;
Her soul is sad, her wings are weary.
When, o'er the vale of Balbec winging
Slowly, she sees a child at play, 65
Among the rosy wild-flowers singing,
As rosy and as wild as they;
Chasing, with eager hands and eyes,
The beautiful blue damsel-flies
That fluttered round the jasmine stems, 70
Like-winged flowers or flying gems:
And, near the boy, who, tired with play,
Now nestli