PROEME.
Sweet Friends! who love the Music of the Sun,
And listened—glad and gracious—many an one,
While, on a light-strung lyre, I sought to tell
Indian Siddartha's wisdom; and the spell
Ofjayadev's deep verse; and proud deeds wrought
By Pandu Princes; and how gems are fraught
With meanings; and to count each golden bead
Of Allah's names of Beauty; and to read
High tender lessons Upanishads teach—
"Secret of Death," and subtle soul of speech
In holy OM; and to con—line by line—
The lofty glory of the "Lay Divine"—
Arjuna's speech with Krishna:—once more come,
And listen to the Vina and the Drum!
Come once more with me from our sombre skies
To hear great Sa'dfs tuneful mysteries—
"Nightingale of a thousand lays"—for he
Will, 'mid the Garden, sing in many a key
