PASSION

    Some have won a wild delight, By daring wilder sorrow； Could I gain thy love to-night, I'd hazard death to-morrow.

    Could the battle-struggle earn One kind glance from thine eye, How this withering¹ heart would burn, The heady fight to try！

    Welcome nights of broken sleep, And days of carnage cold, Could I deem that thou wouldst weep To hear my perils² told.

    Tell me, if with wandering bands I roam full far away, Wilt³ thou to those distant lands In spirit ever stray？

    Wild, long, a trumpet⁴ sounds afar； Bid me——bid me go Where Seik and Briton meet in war, On Indian Sutlej's flow.

    Blood has dyed the Sutlej's waves With scarlet⁵ stain, I know； Indus' borders yawn with graves, Yet, command me go！

    Though rank and high the holocaust⁶ Of nations steams to heaven, Glad I'd join the death-doomed host, Were but the mandate⁷ given.

    Passion's strength should nerve my arm, Its ardour stir my life, Till human force to that dread⁸ charm Should yield and sink in wild alarm, Like trees to tempest-strife.

    If, hot from war, I seek thy love, Darest thou turn aside？ Darest thou then my fire reprove, By scorn, and maddening pride？

    No——my will shall yet control Thy will, so high and free, And love shall tame that haughty⁹ soul—— Yes——tenderest love for me.

    I'll read my triumph in thine eyes, Behold¹⁰, and prove the change； Then leave, perchance, my noble prize, Once more in arms to range.

    I'd die when all the foam¹¹ is up, The bright wine sparkling high； Nor wait till in the exhausted¹² cup Life's dull dregs only lie.

    Then Love thus crowned with sweet reward, Hope blest with fulness large, I'd mount the saddle, draw the sword, And perish in the charge！