Rich in the gems of India's gaudy zone,
And plunder pil'd from kingdoms not their own, ...

.

Degenerate Trade! thy minions could despise
The heart-born anguish of a thousand cries;
Could lock, with impious hands, their teeming store, 565

.

While famish'd nations died along the shore ; 13

Could mock the groans of fellow-men, and bear

Could stamp disgrace on man's polluted name,

And barter, with their gold, eternal shame!

But hark ! as bow'd to earth the Bramin kneels,

From heav'nly climes propitious thunder peals !
Of India's fate her guardian spirits tell,
Prophetic murmurs breathing on the shell, ...

And solemn sounds, that awe the list'ning mind,
Roll on the azure paths of ev'ry wind.

“ Foes of mankind! (her guardian spirits say) Revolving ages bring the bitter day, When Heav'n's unerring arm shall fall on you,

And blood for blood these Indian plains bedew;

580

Nine times have Brama's wheels of lightning hurl'd

His awful presence o'er the alarmed world;
Nine times hath Guilt, through all his giant frame,
Convulsive trembled as the Mighty came;
Nine times hath suffering Mercy spar'd in vain- *4 585
But Heav'n shall burst her starry gates again!
He comes ! dread Brama shakes the sunless sky
With murmuring wrath, and thunders from on high !

Heaven's fiery horse, beneath his warrior form,
Paws the light clouds, and gallops on the storm! 590
Wide waves his flickering sword, his bright arms glow
Like summer suns, and light the world below!
Earth, and her trembling isles in Ocean's bed
Are shook, and Nature rocks beneath his tread 1

To pour redress on India's injur'd realm,
The oppressor to dethrone, the proud to whelm;
To chase destruction from her plunder'd shore,
With arts and arms that triumph'd once before,
The tenth Avatar comes ! at Heav'n's command

Shall Seriswattee's wave her hallowed wand!

600

And Camdeo bright, and Ganesa sublime,

Shall bless with joy their own propitious clime

THE

PLEASURES OF I

PART II.