And yield it to some channel's care, These blessings, lovely Brook, be thine; EPITAPH On an unfortunate young Lady. BY THE SAME. A lingering struggle of misfortune past, Unprais'd, unknown, with cheerful steps she stray'd To gild the dark'ning horrors of the way. When fir'd with hope, or eager for applause, Unfelt, unheeded, falls misfortune's dart, And fame's sweet echoes cheer the drooping heart. The patriot's toils immortal laurels yield, And death itself is envied in the field. Her's was the humbler, yet severer fate, Her's were the suff'rings which no laurels bring, What though no pageant o'er her humble earth, Here shall the virtues which her soul possess'd, Recall her worth, their adverse fate bemoan, POEM OF KHOOSHHAUL. Afghaun Poetry, by the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone. WHENCE has this spring appear'd again, Which has made the country all round one rose garden? The anemone is there, the sweet herbs, the Iris, and the basil, The jasmine, the daffodil, the narcissus, and pomegranate flower. The flowers of the spring are of all colours; But the cheek of the red tulip glows most among them all. The maidens have handfuls of roses in their bosoms. The youths have bunches of flowers in their turbans. The musician applies his bow to his cheghaunch, And searches out the melodies of every string. Amail Khaun and Derry a Khaun were the heroes. They stained the valley of Kheiber with blood; And poured the tumult (of war) on to Currupa. Up to Currupa, and to Bajour, the mountains, and the plains It is now five years that in those quarters, Every day has been heard the clashing of bright swords. Am I dead, or are those around me dead? I call aloud for troops till I am weary : But those around me are deaf both to complaints and reproaches. Had Had I known the state of the Eusofzyes, I should have preferred flying to Dumghaur. The dogs of the Khuttuks would be better that the Eusofzyes, Rely openly or secretly on each other's honour. Yet, see how many battles have taken place in all quarters, The first battle was behind the hills, Where forty thousand Moguls were cut to pieces. Their wives, and their daughters, were the prisoners of the Afghauns, And strings on strings of horses, camels, and elephants were taken. The second was fought by Meer Hossein, in the Dooaub, When his head was crushed like that of a snake. After that, was the fight of the Fort of Nonshehra, Which removed the intoxication from the head of the Moguls. Whom Amail defeated at Gundaub. The sixth battle was with Mookurrum Khaun, and Shumsheer Khaun, Whom Amail cut up to his heart's content. We have always hitherto been victorious in battle; And therefore, henceforward, let us trust in the Lord. Arungzebe, for the last year, has been encamped against us: All his nobles have fallen in battle; And the soldiers who have perished, who can number? That such transactions would have taken place in this country. Which formerly drew down the curse of his own father. No dependance can be placed on the King, For he has ill designs, and is false and treacherous. No other issue can be discovered in this affair; Either the Moguls must be annihilated, or the Afghauns undone. If this be the course of the spheres which we see ; If it be God's pleasure (that we perish), let this be the time. The heavens do not always revolve in the same manner. They are sometimes suited to the rose and sometimes to the thorn. Without honour, what would become of the Afghauns? The Afghauns are better than the Moguls at the sword. If the Ooloosses would give their support to one another, But, dissension and concord, rashness and prudence, Are all in the hand of God, who assigns to each man his share. will do, When the Mogul army has encamped in Ningrahaur. I alone feel for the honour of our name; While the Eusofzyes are cultivating their fields at their ease. He that now is guilty of such want of spirit Will see in the end the result of his conduct. To my mind death is better than life, When life can no longer be held with honour. We are not to live for ever in this world : But the memory of Khooshhaul Khuttuck will remain. T. Bensley and Son, Bolt-court, Ficet street, London. FINIS. |