Then leaps to view—­blood-red and bright of hue—­
As blooms sprung new on the Kusumbha-Tree—­
The wild-fire’s tongue, fanned by the wind, and flung
Furiously forth; the palms, canes, brakes, you see
Wrapped in one agony

Of lurid death!  The conflagration, driven
In fiery levin, roars from jungle caves;
Hisses and blusters through the bamboo clusters,
Crackles across the curling grass, and drives
Into the river waves

The forest folk!  Dreadful that flame to see
Coil from the cotton-tree—­a snake of gold—­
Violently break from root and trunk, to take
The bending boughs and leaves in deadly hold
Then passing—­to enfold

New spoils!  In herds, elephants, jackals, pards,
For anguish of such fate their enmity
Laying aside, burst for the river wide
Which flows between fair isles:  in company
As friends they madly flee!

* * * * *

But Thee, my Best Beloved! may “Suchi” visit fair
With songs of secret waters cooling the quiet air,
Under blue buds of lotus beds, and patalas which shed
Fragrance and balm, while Moonlight weaves over thy happy head
Its silvery veil!  So Nights and Days of Summer pass for thee
Amid the pleasure-palaces, with love and melody!

MATTHEW ARNOLD

(1822-1888)

BY GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY

Matthew Arnold, an English poet and critic, was born December 24th, 1822, at Laleham, in the Thames valley.  He was the son of Dr. Thomas Arnold, best remembered as the master of Rugby in later years, and distinguished also as a historian of Rome.  His mother was, by her maiden name, Mary Penrose, and long survived her husband.  Arnold passed his school days at Winchester and Rugby, and went to Oxford in October, 1841.  There, as also at school, he won scholarship and prize, and showed poetical talent.  He was elected a fellow of Oriel in March, 1845.  He taught for a short time at Rugby, but in 1847 became private secretary to Lord Lansdowne, who in 1851 appointed him school inspector.  From that time he was engaged mainly in educational labors, as inspector and commissioner, and traveled frequently on the Continent examining foreign methods.  He was also interested controversially in political and religious questions of the day, and altogether had a sufficient public life outside of literature.  In 1851 he married Frances Lucy, daughter of Sir William Wightman, a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench, and by her had five children, three sons and two daughters.