The Indus' stormy waters fail'd
To bar the victor's path;
And Delhi's burning towers confest
The awful Scythian's wrath.
A thousand terrors rode along
By Gunga's quaking shore;
And hungry vultures scream'd above
Thy sacred shrine, Hurdwar.
And now he sleeps: rest, conqueror, rest!
Thy vengeful task is o'er:
The trumpet's voice, though loud it speaks,
Will wake thee never more!
The world thy triumphs mark'd with dread;
Sleep, ruthless tyrant, sleep!
That breathless terror now has pass'd,
The world has ceased to weep.
Rest, perturbed spirit, rest!
Rest, thunder-bolt of heaven!
The avenger's rod, the victor's might,
To thee conjoint were given.
Jelaludeen Khiliji.
Malleck Feroze, otherwise called Jelaludeen, was the son of Malleck, a soldier of fortune and chief of the Afghan tribe called Khiliji. He was raised to the throne by a powerful faction, on the murder of Keikobad, of which he was believed to be the principal instigator: but he affected extreme regret at having his high office forced on him; and, while on the throne, was remarkable for his exceeding humility, clemency and simplicity of manners.
I am a king, but why forget
That I am still a man?
And why should gilded baubles lure,
And thoughts unclean, and deeds impure
Engross life's little span?
