Could lock, with impious hands, their teeming store,

While famish'd nations died along the shore;"

Could mock the groans of fellow-men, and bear

The curse of kingdoms peopled with despair;

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 every 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;

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

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!

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!

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 wave her hallow'd wand!

And Camdeo bright, and Ganesa sublime,P
Shall bless with joy their own propitious clime!

Come, Heav'nly Powers! primeval peace restore!
Love!-Mercy!-Wisdom!-rule for evermore!"

END OF THE FIRST PART.

THE

PLEASURES OF HOPE.

PART II.