Joy, Happiness, and Bliss had here Alighted when from Eden driven, Poor wanderers of far other sphere They languished for their native heaven; And lingering they glamoured all the place, The flowers bloomed in airs of Paradise, That lulled the days to dreams of changeless peace. No marvel were it if to mortal eyes This garden seemed the threshold of the skies. But fountain and roses and glittering spray, Ambrosial converse and redolent lay Saddened and dimmed in the radiant day, Unbroken the yellow sunbeams streamed, As ever the flashing jewels gleamed. But a shadow fell And a silent spell In homage of one who was fairer than they. And who was the despot whose wondrous array Of tyrant charms thus over-wrought With hues of soft humility The joys of this enchanting spot? There stood she, envied of the closing day, Loved by the evening star, Moti, than costliest jewel of Cathay More rare and lovelier far. * * * * * Weep balmy tears, O dear white Rose, and tell to am'rous airs They waste their sweetness on thy charms, and chide Their ling'ring dalliance, o'er the whole world wide Bid them on buoyant morning wings to move, And whisper "Love;" Fair winds, be tender of her blissful name, On soft AEolian strings weave dainty dream, Let but the dove Hear a faint echo of her happy name; But tell her worth, Say that at sight of her the evening dies Upon the earth, And bees and little flower bells still their mirth And jasmines whisp'ring of her starry eyes. * * * * * And Atma spoke, with love and wonder bold, "Tread I the valley where the fadeless vine Drops dew immortal and sweet spices grow From fragrant roots which in that blessed mould, Watered by tears of penitential woe, Drank deep of primal peace and balm divine, When in the morn of time the tale was told Of forfeit happiness and ruined shrine? Tell me, O beauteous Spirit of the bower, Is it thy gentle task when others sleep, To guard all that a fallen world may keep Of pristine bliss and lost felicities, The fragrant memory of a purer hour, The healing aroma of Paradise?" Sweet then the blushing maid replied, "Among the roses I abide, I wake the bird, I watch the bee, No greater toil is set for me; But tell me, pray thee, with what charge indued You wander in this quiet solitude." And Atma spoke with joyful fervency, "I hither came on embassy unguessed, Most blissful vision of my raptured view, The dusk delights of quietness and rest Desired I, nor thought to bid adieu To all content my fond heart ever knew.