To bring the wounded, writhing victim in-- As well-trained hunters mark their master's aim, Then fly to bring the wounded quarry home. Meanwhile a stifling stench rose from below-- As from a battle-field where nations met And fiery ranks of living valor fought, Now food for vultures, moldering cold and low-- And bleaching bones were scattered everywhere. Startled he wakes and rises from his couch. The lamps shine down with soft and mellow light. The fair Yasodhara still lay in sleep, But not in quiet sleep. Her bosom heaved As if a sigh were seeking to escape; Her brows were knit as if in pain or fear, And tears were stealing from her close-shut lids. But sweet Rahula slept, and sleeping smiled As if he too those cherub faces saw. In haste alone he noiselessly stole forth To wander in the park, and cool his brow And calm his burdened, agitated soul. The night had reached that hour preceding dawn When nature seems in solemn silence hushed, Awed by the glories of the coming day. The moon hung low above the western plains; Unnumbered stars with double brightness shine, And half-transparent mists the landscape veil, Through which the mountains in dim grandeur rise. Silent, alone he crossed the maidan wide Where first he saw the sweet Yasodhara, Where joyful multitudes so often met, Now still as that dark valley of his dream. He passed the lake, mirror of heaven's high vault, Whose ruffled waters ripple on the shore, Stirred by cool breezes from the snow-capped peaks; And heedless of his way passed on and up, Through giant cedars and the lofty pines, Over a leafy carpet, velvet soft, While solemn voices from their branches sound, Strangely in unison with his sad soul; And on and up until he reached a spot Above the trees, above the mist-wrapped world, Where opening chasms yawned on every side. Perforce he stopped; and, roused from revery, Gazed on the dark and silent world below. The moon had sunk from sight, the stars grew dim, And densest darkness veiled the sleeping world, When suddenly bright beams of rosy light Shot up the east; the highest mountain-top Glittered as if both land and sea had joined Their richest jewels and most costly gems To make its crown; from mountain-peak to peak The brightness spread, and darkness slunk away, Until between two giant mountain-tops Glittered a wedge of gold; the hills were tinged, And soon the sun flooded the world with light As when the darkness heard that first command: "Let there be light!" and light from chaos shone. Raptured he gazed upon the glorious scene. "And can it be," he said, "with floods of light Filling the blue and boundless vault above, Bathing in brightness mountain, hill and plain, Sending its rays to ocean's hidden depths, With light for bird and beast and creeping thing, Light for all eyes, oceans of light to spare, That man alone from outer darkness comes,