பதிப்பு : மனோன்மணியம் - நாடகம்
Mute, as if musing in himself, the Prince
355
Heard the wise counsel to its warning close.
Then, with a gloomy look,
Gazed on the reader of the stars, and answered
252
Leave thou to me that which to me belongs;
My people need the Tanais for their rafts;
Or soon or late that need
Strings the Mede's bow, and mounts the Scythian rider. 256
Mage, I would pluck my spirit from the hold
Of a strong phantasy, which, night and day, Haunts it, unsinews life,
And makes my heart the foe of my own reason.
260
Perchance in war, the gods ordain my cure; And courting war, I to myself give peace. Startled by these wild words,
The Mage, in trust-alluring arts long - practised,
264
Led on the Prince to unfold their hidden sense; And having bound the listener by the oath Mage never broke, to hold
Sacred the trust, the King thus told his trouble.
Know that each night (thro' three revolving moons) An image comes before me in a dream; Ever the same sweet face,
268
Lovely as that which blest the Carian's slumber.
272
-
Nought mid the dark eyed daughters of the East,
Nought I have ever seen in waking hours,
Rivals in charm this shape
-
Which hath no life unless a dream hath substance.
276
'But never yet so clearly visible,
Nor with such joy in its celestial smile
Hath come the visitant,
Making a temple of the soul it hallows,
280
