INDIAN WEDDING

Evening fallen, full moon risen,
Stars in purple velvet fold;
Comes the bridegroom with his princess
Crowned and gowned in silken gold
- - Sounds the flute and beats the tabla
- - As the wedding feast is laid;
- - Jewelled faces bright with laughter,
- - Knotted raiment tied with braid.
- - - - Loud the singing, wild the dancing,
- - - - Music wavers on the air;
- - - - Bells are ringing, priests are chanting -
- - - - Love is shining everywhere.

*
Happiness not long is golden -
Sounds a bugle of alarm:
Comes a warrior, armour-laden,
Crying, "Rebels bring you harm!
- - Rebels come to take the city;
- - All must to the battle go,
- - Come, Oh Prince, and lead your people -
- - Leave your bride and fight the foe!"

*
Rides he with a thousand torches,
Even in his wedding clothes,
With the garlands still around him
To the field of battle goes .......
- - Tearful now, the bride of riches,
- - Weeping mother by her side,
- - As the steel-dark prince goes riding,
- - Never more to see his bride.

*
"Cast away thy wedding sari,"
Cries his mother to the bride;
But she heeds not of her bidding -
"I will follow to his side.
- - Lost the jewel in the darkness,
- - Cruel fate! Remorseless night!
- - I will leave all earthly treasures
- - To pursue his fainting light.

*
Brahmins bless her as she passes
Golden in her palanquin:
"If he be dead who once was living,
I will tie the knot again."

*
At the wide gates of the City
Lights her foot upon the weald ......
And she finds him, pale and silent,
Slain upon the battlefield.
- - Calm and solemn, melancholy,
- - Grieving heart, despairing sight;
- - Faith is Life, so bright and holy -
- - "I shall wed my Lord tonight."

*
Priests with sandalwood full-laden
Come to light the funeral fire;
Watch the trembling of her footsteps
As she climbs upon the pyre .......
- - Comes the Bride unto her Bridegroom,
- - Comes Beloved to her own;
- - Kisses on his cold lips showers
- - As she ties the knot again.

*
- - - - Wild and golden, melancholy,
- - - - Leaping to the sky's domain,
- - - - Souls of flame so brave and Holy,
- - - - As the knot is tied again.