near the prince, who rises in his saddle, balancing his spear aloft. A loud cry bursts from the crowd-the beasts must overthrow the rajah: but no, his spear passes through the heart of one, and as it falls writhing on the ground, Vassanti, springing from the carriage, falls senseless into the arms of Jesswunt Singh. centre of the plain, and the prince remed up his heedless of all that opposes them, speed on. fiery steed, of the true Lakhi breed, beside the "Alas! alas!" shrieks a natch girl among the five-colored banner, which is the emblem of throng, "they make for the river, and the beauRajpoot royalty, the Jaities, or wrestlers, first tiful Vassanti will be lost!"-"Ha!" exclaimed appeared, and amused the crowd with their dis- the prince, "the daughter of the sage Harita in plays of adroitness and of strength, until Jess-peril such as this!" and snatching a spear from wunt Singh, casting his scarf towards the win- an attendant, he spurs to intercept their path. ner of the akara (arena), the athlete, with In breathless agony, the affrighted people gaze, many low salaams, retired among the crowd. one question in the mind of each: "Will ManAnd now, at a signal from the prince, a group dana's prince fall before the maddened beasts, of retainers approached, bearing the weapons whose headlong course he now essays to check?" necessary for the sport peculiar to the day. A Silence deep and hushed affords them no reply, shield of rhinoceros hide was first presented, ex-but suddenly, as with headlong course the aniquisitely transparent, bossed, and beautifully mals rush on, the prince reins back his charger. enamelled with the fine gold and silver work of Is it his intent to fly? The thought is treason, Cutch. Then came the bow of buffalo-horn, so well is proved the bravery of Jesswunt Singh. with the reed arrows curiously barbed with And now, with tearing gallop, amid a cloud of many a quaint device; but the Lahore match-sand, the maddened animals approach; they lock and the Damascus blade were alike rejected, and in lieu of these, the prince, slinging the bow and arrows across his richly embroidered robe, selected numerous discs of shining metal, and smilingly directing his followers to do the same, crossed the arena with some dozen horsemen, when, wheeling his horse gracefully, he awaited the signal for the mimic contest. At this moment, a bard, crowned with a jasmine wreath, springs between the combatants, and In the palace of Mandana, alone, and wrapped lightly touching the strings of his sitarr, first in contemplation, reclined the warrior rajah; singing a couplet in praise of the dexterous skill and well might one, wearied with the fatiguing and valor of his prince, and of "the liberal band sports and pastimes of the last few days, have which, although it empties the royal coffers, fills selected this as the fitting spot for refreshment them again with the prayers of mankind," he and repose. From the open window appeared wittily reminds the crowd, that from the mirth a lovely country, rich in dark woods, and bright of "Holica" even kings are not exempt; Jess-with flowing waters. The palace itself was of wunt Singh, accepting the challenge, casts his pure white marble, beautifully sculptured; reglove, well filled with coins, towards the min-servoirs and fountains, of fanciful designs, inlaid strel, and, attended by his party, gallops furiously forward. In mid course, he is arrested by the opposing group, and then ensues a brilliant scene. Each dexterous and graceful rider wheels and caprioles his high-bred steed around the course, pursuing his antagonist of the hour, jesting pleasantly, as each in turn appears to fly; but, as they meet again, the metal discs are lightly thrown, and from between the plates of each showers of red powder rapidly escape, half-blinding the combatants, and producing shrieks of laughter from the crowd, who themselves are not idle, but, mixing in the sport, deluge each other with colored water, or halfsuffocate all around with handfuls of the abir, carried in their wallets. The prince at length wearies of the sport, and holds his shield above his head; at the signal, the chiefs rein in their horses, the crowd draw back, and from tall poles, crowned with seemingly harmless bou quets of fresh flowers, fireworks of the most brilliant varieties suddenly burst forth, some darting high into the deep blue sky, and others running, serpent-like, upon the ground, to the mingled amusement and terror of the crowd. But soon, a pair of powerful bullocks, richly caparisoned, and mad with fright, are seen dashing across the plain, and in the carriage that they violently whirl along, a woman's form appears, with arms outstretched towards the crowd. All eyes are turned upon her; while the furious animals, with glaring eyes and expanded nostrils, heads bent to the ground, and with shell mosaics, refreshed the eye with bright jets or lake-like stillness, while richlystained glass, picturing the heroic deeds of the Rajpoot princes of Mandana, tinted the rays of light that fell upon a terrace surrounded with parterres of flowers, rare for their beauty and their perfume, and contrasting well with the shade of the plumed palm, the widely-spreading tamarind, and the beautiful acacia. Beyond, shone the bright stream of the Nerbudda, with its indented and grassy margin, now only traversed by the pilgrim, or the priest wending his way to the gorgeously-sculptured temple of Krishna, the pinnacle of which just peeped above the sacred trees, whose lower branches dipped into the fair stream that gave them growth. Yet, calculated as this stream was to attract the eye of Mandana's prince, it is doubtful if he saw it, for, although gazing on the plain, it was quite evident that his fancy was dead to all but the memories of the past, and that the plain, still and vacant as it really was, appeared to him yet thronged with hundreds of his people, gazing wildly on the hapless girl, whose threatening doom his hand had turned aside, and as his strongly expressive countenance thus shadowed forth the images of the mind, changeful emotions chased each other on his brow, as if his judgment were called upon to be the umpire, where his fancy and his reason disagreed; but fancy, as she is apt to do, proved the better arguer, and Jesswunt Singh, with a smile play ing upon his lips, and his fine person drawn to harem with wives struggling for supremacy, its utmost height, rose and approached the win- and involving me in their domestic broils; dow, breathing, as he did so, his thoughts aloud. when returning from my sports, the mimic form "And why not? am I not all great, all pow-of war, I would rather care to hear the voices of erful? and shall not I command all things to my my bards, singing to their well-tuned instruwill? True, as the ruler of a rich territory, and ments tales of Rajpoot bravery, than the many feared by every weaker power, the princes of words of angry women; but now, Harita, ManIndia seek earnestly the alliance of Jesswunt dana's prince bends beneath the flowery bands Singh; yet is the priest of Eklinga's fane second of the blooming Camdeo. and announces to his only to his master, while his lovely daughter counsellor and friend, that he seeks a bride." well is named the Flower of Rajasthan; and "My son, thou doest well," was the calm reply. more than this-did not Harita himself declare," Among the daughters of our land, some, inin the spirit of wise augury, that the renown of Jesswunt Singh, expanding like the lotus, should spread over all, and that the star of his destiny should shine unquenched until he, burthened with life, should desire to hasten its obscurity? And what means this, but that, in heaven's her have an eye like a sunbeam, and a lip pure bright page it is decreed, that a career brilliant and glorious shall be mine until, in the natural waste of strength and decay of years, I shall desire to seek younger and fresher joys in a new existence? and with such a destiny, shall Jesswunt Singh act like men unfavored by the gods, rather than as controlling all things to his will? I will command hither Eklinga's priest, and advise him of my decision." Tediously passed the time until the sage Harita bent before his prince; but when he did so, his aspect was one well calculated to excite respect. His flowing robe of snow-like muslin, his folded turban of the same fine texture, the chaplet of gold beads around his neck, bespoke him of a rank possessing influence, both as a noble and a priest, while the grave, yet mild, expression of his fair and handsome countenance, the transparent delicacy of his well-formed hand, and the intense fire that, despite his age, shone from his large dark eye, proved him to possess those advantages of caste which, combined with unusual learning, gave to the sage Harita power of no common order, even over the fiery spirit of the prince, whose mandate he had now obeyed. deed, there are, fond of rule, loud of tongue, apt as the forest stream, and she shall be like music "My son," began the priest, "I come to give thee counsel, if such you seek-consolation you cannot need, for your brave heart and ready A dark shade passed over the lately calm hand, your youth, the love of your people and countenance of Harita, and for a moment his your soldiery, with the approving care of the eye sought the ground in deep and earnest gods of Ind, leave no avenue for care." "Be-thought; but, as if decided on a subject requiring fore the mirthful festival of the great Phag, my friend," replied the prince, "had you spoken thus, it had been well, and contented with such courteous words, I carelessly, perhaps, might have acknowledged they were true; but now, indeed, I seek for aid, not counsel; and I entreat you, give it me." As the rajah spoke, the changing countenance of Harita bespoke doubt and hesitation; he bent his eyes anxiously on the prince, and said, "My lord, I see not how Eklinga's priest can aid the purposes of Jesswunt Singh; yet deign to enlighten and command him, for well you know, my son," he added, in a softer tone, all that he hath is thine." "Ah" replied the prince, "'tis well, Harita; and now hear me: devoted to war and sport, carelessly, as thou knowest, have I met proposals of alliance made by the neighboring princes, some even reject ing, at the chance of war, loving not to fill my energy and firmness, he raised it quickly again to the beaming countenance of the rajah, and distinctly answered: "My lord, it may not beseek some alliance more worthy thy growing power than that of the daughter of Eklinga's priest, for into thy harem can she never enter. My lord, you say well; by the stars have I read that thou shouldst love my child, but the same oracles forbid your union; be warned, and seek it not, for there is a mystery about the search I cannot dare to fathom." 'Mock me not, old man!" exclaimed the angry and excited prince; "mock me not. I ask thy daughter, and darest thou, with pretended auguries, cross the purpose of thy prince, or deny to the powerful Rajah of Mandana aught it may suit him to demand ?" "My lord the prince," replied the sage, with accents calm and soft, as if rather grieved, than in any way alarmed, at the menace of the rajab, mighty as he is in all that is great or worthy, 66 yet in this small thing he is powerless. My daughter, Jesswunt Singh, is the betrothed of one who has loved her from her childish years; one to whom she also is devoted with the strong love of woman. That you have saved her life, my lord, is matter of deep gratitude to her, chiefly for this love she bears, for otherwise, my daughter has no weak heart, nor has she been taught to tremble at the fear of death; but tomorrow, being the Feast of Flowers, is appointed for the nuptials." Quickly did the rajah turn from the calm and stately speaker, and, with dark brow and flashing eye, seek the open window, leaning against which, he communed with himself, and in a brief space, wrought for the future masses of dark evil, although yet indistinctly seen, and then he once more sought the priest, but it was with a placid mien and unknit front, inquiring, in accents strangely in discordance with his late excited tone: "Pardon me, my friend; you too may have also felt how keen is the pang of sudden disappointment; but tell me, who is he that claims the fair Vassanti ?" The tranquil air of the rajah surprised Harita ; but, concluding that the fancy for his daughter had passed away before the conviction of its utter hopelessness, he replied at once, candidly, and as if relieved from a position of much pain and difficulty, "The Rajah Kurna Singh, my lord, a chieftain of her mother's tribe." "Ha!" exclaimed the prince, "I would none better: retire, Harita; our conference is ended." The priest withdrew; and then it was that the violence of Jesswunt Singh burst forth. 66 Strange, that it should be none but he, my hated rival in the field, the chase, that should outstrip me here. Ever have I been warned that his star and mine are mysteriously united, and that strangely mingled are the fates of both. Pshaw! we are now, perhaps, equally great, and young, and well-beloved; but what is that? cannot my armies cast his forts into the dust, and my warriors lead captive all he can bring against them? It is enough that Kurna Singh has crossed my path, his life now lies in my dagger's sheath, and I will teach both him and this most arrogant priest what it is to defy the power of Jesswunt Singh. form, Jesswunt Singh felt, for the first time, that he had seen the woman formed to teach him the strength of human love; but a love calm and gentle as the summer lake, for as yet was no cloud upon its surface. But, when he learnt that she whom alone he had ever sought to share his power, the flower of her land, was about to become the bride of a detested rival,-at once that love became like the dark and turgid mountain stream, casting before it all that would oppose its way,-and by his sword and shield, the most sacred oath of a Rajpoot warrior, did Jesswunt Singh swear to destroy the prince whose happiness opposed his own, and to bear away his bride in triumph. It was a lovely spot, that which we now describe as lying at the foot of Kishengurh, and perhaps the rich sunset, which gilds all Eastern scenes with a beauty peculiarly its own, may have rendered even this more charming in casting fine orange tints upon the towering hills that closed it in, covered to their summits with the bright coriander, and other flowering shrubs that are the especial favorites of the gods of Ind, and gleaming also through the groves of mango and bamboo that surrounded the Golab Sagur, or rose-water lake, whose still waters reflected one of the most beautiful fanes to be found in the whole of Rajpootana, being erected in honor of Isani, the goddess of abundance. At the time of which I write, the glowing sky was without a cloud, and the marble piazzas of the temple were surrounded by a group so picturesque in attire, and graceful in their bearing, that, but for the darkness of complexion among those who formed it, and the character of the fane near which they stood, it might have been rather taken for a band of actors in the school of Eschylus, than for what it really was, a party of the Charuns, or poets of Rajpootana. The men were clad in flowing robes, white as snow, and of the finest texture, with turbans of the same around their noble-looking brows, from which depended garlands of mogree-blossoms. Around the neck of each were massive necklaces of gold, a jewel dropping from the centre of the chain, and the gestures of all were full of the dignity There are some natures, and they are for the which attached to their peculiar calling. There most part such as combine the power of strong were women, too, among the group, attired in physical excitement with deficiency of self-con- garments of dark color, with rich gems and gold trol, and a haughty spirit defying circumstance, twined in the glossy braids of their abundant that are more acted upon by opposition than suc- tresses, and golden bells encircling, as a zone, cess, and such was that of the Rajah of Manda- the slender waist of each. Around the grove, na. Previous to the spring-tide fête, the astonish- under the shade of which the Charuns stood, ing beauty, the high Rajpoot spirit, and the un-colored lamps, with bright garlands suspended common accomplishment of the only daughter from the trees, announced some reason for reof Eklinga's priest, were topics which, often dis- joicing, while, if more proof was wanting, it cussed by the women of his family, fell yet in- might be found in the bright eyes and smiling differently on his ear, for Jesswunt Singh respect-lips of those who watched the portal of the temed Harita far too highly to think lightly of his ple. Forth she came, the beautiful Vassanti, child, and marriage the rajah looked on only as and by her side the Rajah Kurna Singh, both a piece of political expediency, to be avoided as radiant in youth and happiness, and as they much as might be. When, however, with the moved on, Lal Bae, the ruby-cheeked, stepped chivalrous spirit of a Rajpoot warrior, he darted forth from the group of fair Charunis, and forward to save Vassanti, and received the placed upon Vassanti's brow a blooming wreath, fainting maiden in his arms, all that he had pre-while the naique, or leader, of the Charun band, viously heard rushed upon his memory, and as repeated, with slow and melodious voice, verses he gazed on her fair, high brow and graceful in honor of her own skill in poetic art, and 66 Vassanti cast herself upon her husband's breast, and Bal-Nathjee, trained as he was to indifference to all human passion, looked upon the grief of that young pair, so brave and so devoted, and thus gazing, nature conquered: he, the ascetic, turned aside his face and wept. the Charunis, linking together scarfs of blue "Said he no more than this?" eagerly inand silver, elevated them as a canopy over Vas-quired Vassanti; "said he nothing of the fusanti and the chief of Kishengurh. Kurna, | ture ?” "Lady, why urge me thus? Harita smiling on the group, well pleased with this said, 'Be comforted, for he who dies in battle homage to the talents and beauty of his charm-will light his enemy through the shades of death ing bride, cast towards the naique a silken fillet. to the mansions of Yama!" "Ha!" exclaimed in proof of his royal favor; but as the Charun Vassanti, "I feel, I feel, that this is no common stooped to raise it, a strange, distorted figure parting; but go, beloved Kurna; haste thee to skipped from behind the temple, his body arm. All is unstable; there is no aid but in thy smeared with ashes, a necklace of lotus-seeds soul of manliness, and in thy sword; yet bow around his neck, and with huge ears weighed not thy head, and the purity of thy race will down with circular pieces of metal, placed in shine resplendent yet; for if thou fallest, rememthe incisions made for their reception. Yet, ber! thy wife survives thee not." hideous as the split-eared ascetic might seem to those who had not reverence for his order, his appearance produced no terror amongst the group where he now stood, but, on the contrary, the Queen Vassanti hastily approached him, kindly inquiring, "What now, Bal-Nathjee, come you from Mandana ?" Daughter of the wise Harita," replied the jogee, "even so, and I But the Rajpoot chief quickly tore himself have travelled far and fast through deep jungles from the clinging arms of his heroic wife, and and over desert plains to warn thee of the com- the jogee prepared to follow him from the harem; ing danger. The Rajah Jesswunt Singh has but, as he did so, Vassanti, springing to his side, marched his army on the fort of Nagore, and snatched a bracelet from her arm, and in a voice ere to-morrow's eve it will fall before him; then half stifled by emotion, whispered: "Bal-Nathwill he hasten to Govindghur, and, after subdu-jee, thou art my own, my father's friend-if the ing the handful of surprised warriors who now lord of my life fall under this destroyer's sword, hold it, will he come hither, lady, for he has sworn fail me not, but send again this trinket as the to destroy thy noble husband, and win thee as sign, and-if but a hair of my dear father's his bride." beard is touched, if Jesswunt Singh dares to insult his reverend teacher, then wreath the bauble with mogree blossoms, such as you use in sacrifice, for it will be a type of one well pleasing to the gods." Before the fire of her now flashing eyes the jogee lowly bent, and folding the bracelet in his girdle, turned and left the harem, while Vassanti, with heavy tears rolling over her fair cheek, stood with inclined head and folded arms, gazing on the spot from which the chief so late had parted. Kurna Singh started, and laid his hand upon his sword; but Vassanti, casting herself into his arms, exclaimed, "Be not disturbed, my lord, our retainers are few, for we looked for peace, not war; but their faithful hearts will yet serve to throw a rampart around their lord, that even Jesswunt Singh will not dare to force." In the harem of the palace of Kishengurh, now silent in its mirth, stood Kurna Singh, his arm tenderly cast around his lovely bride, his sword and shield lying on the ground beside him, and, a few paces behind, seated on a deer-skin, was Bal-Nathjee, the ascetic. "Dearest !" whispered Kurna Singh, "is it not hard to leave thee thus, so lately mine? Could nothing satisfy the cruel Jesswunt, but he must cast his eyes on thee, my betrothed wife, my sweet Vassanti? Oh! ten times had it been better for thee to have perished beneath the hoofs of the infuriated animals from which he saved thee, than to be the prey of this more savage chief." Days passed. Beneath the walls of Kishengurh was now assembled a mighty host, whose tents were pitched beside the rapid stream that washed the city wall. The fort was strong, however, and the men-at-arms who manned its bastions, although mercenaries, Sindees and Cutchees, archers and matchlock-men, were well content to die in its defence. Daily, however, their water and provisions seriously decreased, for the siege was unprepared for, and the bravest hearts are helpless in the power of circumstance. Still as each eye waxed more dull, each cheek more pallid, the bright glance of hopeful encouragement cast on her deTenders by the Rajpoot queen nerved all to fresh endurance. Vassanti gazed upon her lord, and a tear of mingled love and pride hung on the fringe of her dark eye. "Kurna! what words are these? why this despair? believe you not that Vassanti's undying faith to thee is stronger than ten The noon had deepened into twilight, the twithousand conquerors? But speak, Bal-Nathjee; light was darkening into night, and the stars, what says my father? nay, tell me his very with their mild radiance, were striving, as it words." "Thus saith my master," replied the were, wholly to eclipse the lingering rays of sunascetic, slowly rising from the deer-skin: "Vic- set, when alone, with a brow of thought, and tory and fame to Kurna Singh; for to die well doubting pangs that her young heart should is to live for ever-let the chief of Kishengurh ne'er have known, sat Vassanti by the open hasten to meet the Rajah of Mandana, and let window of the harem, her dark eye falling, inthe Queen Vassanti, closing the gates, await deed, upon the army of her foe and the banner as a Rajpoot woman the result "-the jogee of the prince sworn to the destruction of her paused, and bent his eyes upon the ground. house, but her thoughts were far away, and VOL. IV. No. I. 5 rested upon Kurna, the husband of her early and now-send hither my opium-bearer; I must while away the lingering hours, until the queen commands me to her presence." The umul (opiate) did its work, and the prince, lulled also by the soft music of a bard, seemed in his dreams of future happiness to forget the burning ambition, the cruel wrong, the blood-stained horrors of the past, or to remember them, if at all, only as the fortunate means that insured him the bright promise of his now fulfilled hopes, and when the song of joy burst forth from the inner apartments of the palace, he awaited no other summons, but, springing from the pile of cushions which formed his Vassanti read; yet not a tear moistened the couch, he hurried rapidly forward until arresteye of the brave Rajpootnee, for now doubted by the immediate presence of the marriagewas at an end, and fate had done its worst. Rising from her seat, she sought the portcullis of the fort, and seeing there the captain of the guard, addressed him thus: "Umra, at to-morrow's dawn, cast open the gates of Kishengurh to the Rajah Jesswunt Singh, without condition; our people are exhausted, and thy prince demands that you obey me." group. On a broad terrace of pure white marble, covered with rich carpets of the finest Persian looms, and reclining on a cushion of pale blue velvet, embroidered in seed pearl, appeared Vassanti, surrounded by her maidens; a muslin robe of the softest texture, and starred with gold, swept around her graceful form, and on the raven braids of her luxuriant hair rested the burmala, or marriage-wreath; but this alone bore marks of hasty preparation, for here and there the mogree blossoms had a withered tinge, and a color less pure than if freshly gathered; yet it mattered little, for none glanced again upon the garland whose eye had once looked upon the fair face that beamed forth beauty from beneath it, and Jesswunt Singh, as he now ad In the hall of the palace of Kishengurh reclined the victorious Jesswunt, anxiously awaiting the return of the messenger whom he had despatched to the Queen Vassanti, bearing the coco-nut, or marriage symbol, and with many protestations of a love overcoming all things, beseeching her to forget the past, and to reign over his heart and country. The rajah's coun-vanced towards her, thought how infinitely more tenance beamed with joy and triumph, for in lovely was Harita's daughter than he had ever this, as in all else, did he trace the auspicious before imagined, for her eye, no longer soft and aspect of his destiny, the fulfilment of all that calm, flashed beneath its shading fringes, like a had been foretold, and these gratulatory thoughts diamond in its dark mine, and her soft cheek, occupied him until the messenger's return, who no longer palely transparent, was rich in color came gladly, and as one only of a brilliant as the folded leaves of a young rosebud. Seatgroup, laden with the jewels of the house of ing himself then by Vassanti's side, the rajah Kurna, rich brocades, and shawls of inestimable sought to express the love which had hurried value. Presenting these, the messenger thus him to deeds for which he craved her pardon, addressed the impatient yet delighted prince: by right of the expiation that he made in offer"My lord, the Queen Vassanti yields to thy ing her his throne, with the will to become for wishes and greets thee well; she bids me say, life her vassal, and the queen apparently listened that the bravery and power of Mandana's to his earnest words, yet from time to time, with prince, meriting all homage, have won the ad- stealthy care, she raised her downcast eyes, and miration of the queen, as a Rajpoot woman, furtively their glances seemed to wander, as if great even as the ruin they have brought upon in search of somewhat. At length, a certain her house; thus she accepts thy clemency, and restlessness attracted even the attention of the by the hands of these her servants sends this rajah, who paused, gazing attentively upon her, embroidered robe, this turban with jewelled but as he did so, a slight tremor passed over her aigrette, this scarf wrought with the royal arms, frame, her lip grew blanched, and, half-rising in gems of rarest value, which she prays thee from her cushions, she gazed with dilated eye now to put on, in preparation for the marriage- towards the entrance to the terrace; the eye of feast. The queen, however, adds, that, devoted Jesswunt Singh rapidly followed the direction of long to grief and war, she craves a few hours in hers, but nothing met his view except a jogee, which to prepare herself and damsels for the who, having that moment entered, was spreadnuptials, and does beseech my lord to grant hering his deer-skin upon the marble. The strange this request." "Back! back!" exclaimed the agitation of the queen, however, alarmed the now triumphant rajah, "and tell the Queen rajah; he rose hurriedly, his brow flushing, and Vassanti, that all that Jesswunt Singh has his pulse throbbing with excitement; but he, wrought, being only for her love, he ever is her too, seems now to share the wild emotion; his slave, and waits her pleasure to set a crown of eyes glare wildly, a sudden heat oppresses him, joy upon his brow. To each of the queen's he calls loudly for his cupbearer, and flinging to servants let a caparisoned elephant be given, the ground his jewelled turban, which seems like with arms and a dress of honor; proclaim, that a band of fire on his brow, rushes towards the all within the fort are free, and that to-day will sculptured parapet of the terrace, as if even the a feast be held in celebration of our nuptials, sight of the deep water that flowed below could 1 3 t |