Daughters of Ind’ were seen with glossy skin, And Hindoo maids in deep prostration knelt, Where wide spread Ganges’ rolling waves did shine, Besides its banks the sacred influence felt, Whose treasured stream the adoring soul ymelt; There devotees in thronging groups repair, While others sought where lonely Dervise dwelt, Him to engage and lead devotion’s prayer ’Neath palm trees lovely shade, skreened from the noontide glare. XXI. For tapestry, pictorial grace displayed, Creative art wrought out by sylvan hand, Not painter’s skill like Angelo’s portrayed, Colours more brilliant than did there expand, In sooth there rose as if by fairy’s wand, That legion fair yclept mount Helicon, Where pearly streams enriched that pleasant land, That flowed from Hippocrene’s pure fountain known, And kiss’d the flow’ry mead in dalliance as it roune. XXII. While round about that rugged mountain side, Some climb’d the steep, to breathe empyrean air, And did essay to view the landscape wide, Tho’ few could in that dainty prospect share, Save gifted spirits born with genius rare, Who soaring ’mid the clouds empurpled hue Their pastime joy’d in that ethereal sphere, Where floating shapes yblent in that clear blue, That light as gossamer each other did pursue. XXIII. There straight the moving crowd did eke behold, A spot of land that overhung the sea, That bounded sparkling to that nook like gold, So bright the waves ran murm’ring pleasantly, While there uprose a lofty promont’ry, On which a tall and sable figure stood, And yet withal a startling dignity, As one not ’habitant of earth:--the flood Drew fixed that being’s gaze, who seemed not flesh and blood. XXIV. And there the eye it fell on frowning wood, On mountain blue that did its form disclose, With precipice and rugged causeway rude, Where plunged the restless stream without repose; That from its pebbly bed in spray uprose, Seen thro’ yon vale of loveliness to wind Thro’ ’bosky dell,’ its sinuous course to lose, There wandered lone the thoughtful lettered hind, ’Mid sylvan glades and scenes whose charm delight the mind. XXV. And they had longer gazed the wond’ring crowd, As with emblazoned skill each picture rose, Had not the varlet troop heard summons loud, That, hastening, urged their audience not ylose; Which gracious mandate they may not refuse, As they at once quick marshall’d by Sir Page, No parley held, but did the offer choose, Right glad such condescension did engage Them as his honour’s guests, who seemed both lord and sage. XXVI.