LEILI by Sarojini Naidu


      HE serpents are asleep among the poppies,
      The fireflies light the soundless panther's way
      To tangled paths where shy gazelles are straying,
      And parrot-plumes outshine the dying day.
      O soft! the lotus-buds upon the stream
      Are stirring like sweet maidens when they dream.
       
      A caste-mark on the azure brows of Heaven,
      The golden moon burns sacred, solemn, bright
      The winds are dancing in the forest-temple,
      And swooning at the holy feet of Night.
      Hush! in the silence mystic voices sing
      And make the gods their incense-offering.

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