y.
Well-pleased the God in all his pride arrayed
Saw his bright image mirrored in the blade
Of the huge sword they brought; then calmly leant
On NANDI'S arm, and toward his bull he went,
Whose broad back covered with a tiger's hide
Was steep to climb as Mount KAILASA'S side.
Yet the dread monster humbly shrank for fear,
And bowed in reverence as his Lord drew near.
The matrons followed him, a saintly throng,
Their ear-rings waving as they dashed along:
Sweet faces, with such glories round them shed
As made the air one lovely lotus bed.
On flew those bright ones: KALI came behind,
The skulls that decked her rattling in the wind:
Like the dark rack that scuds across the sky,
With herald lightning and the crane's shrill cry.

Hark! from the glorious bands that lead the way,
Harp, drum, and pipe, and shrilling trumpet's bray,
Burst through the sky upon the startled ear
And tell the Gods the hour of worship's near.
They came; the SUN presents a silken shade
Which heaven's own artist for the God had made,
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 VISH[N.]U 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 ['S]IVA, VISH[N.]U, 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 they laid aside.
They signed to NANDI, and the favourite's hand
Guided his eye upon the suppliant band.
He spake to VISH[N.]U, 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 rit