And with arms outstretching far Leaps she on the glowing pyre. But the youth divine outsprings From the flame with heav'nly grace, And on high his flight he wings, While his arms his love embrace. In the sinner repentant the Godhead feels joy; Immortals delight thus their might to employ. Lost children to raise to a heavenly place. 1797. ----- THE PARIAH. I. THE PARIAH S PRAYER. DREADED Brama, lord of might! All proceed from thee alone; Thou art he who judgeth right! Dost thou none but Brahmins own? Do but Rajahs come from thee? None but those of high estate? Didst not thou the ape create, Aye, and even such as we? We are not of noble kind, For with woe our lot is rife; And what others deadly find Is our only source of life. Let this be enough for men, Let them, if they will, despise us; But thou, Brama, thou shouldst prize us, All are equal in thy ken. Now that, Lord, this prayer is said, As thy child acknowledge me; Or let one be born in-stead, Who may link me on to thee! Didst not thou a Bayadere As a goddess heavenward raise? And we too to swell thy praise, Such a miracle would hear. 1821. ----- II. LEGEND. [The successful manner in which Goethe employs the simple rhymeless trochaic metre in this and in many other Poems will perhaps be remarked by the reader.] WATER-FETCHING goes the noble Brahmin's wife, so pure and lovely; He is honour'd, void of blemish. And of justice rigid, stern. Daily from the sacred river Brings she back refreshments precious;-- But where is the pail and pitcher? She of neither stands in need. For with pure heart, hands unsullied, She the water lifts, and rolls it To a wondrous ball of crystal This she bears with gladsome bosom, Modestly, with graceful motion, To her husband in the house. She to-day at dawn of morning Praying comes to Ganges' waters, Bends her o'er the glassy surface-- Sudden, in the waves reflected, Flying swiftly far above her, From the highest heavens descending, She discerns the beauteous form Of a youth divine, created By the God's primeval wisdom In his own eternal breast. When she sees him, straightway feels she Wondrous, new, confused sensations In her inmost, deepest being; Fain she'd linger o'er the vision, Then repels it,--it returneth,-- And, perplex'd, she bends her flood-wards With uncertain hands to draw it; But, alas, she draws no more! For the water's sacred billows Seem to fly, to hasten from her; She but sees the fearful chasm Of a whirlpool black disclosed.