XXVI.

SONG OF ADMIRATION.

     “The beautiful is an attribute of heavenly perfection.

     “Give vent to your emotions in words, in flowers, in music, and
     above all in good and noble acts.”

The enthusiastic admiration of the lover has modes of expression besides the graceful presentation of flowers, and the soul-stirring breathings of the harp.

The following, to which I have added the explanation of certain terms, conveys as nearly as may be the meaning of some verses addressed by a lover to the object of his admiration.  Many of the expressions will probably be thought hyperbolical.  You will, however, remember that our pulsation is more rapid than yours.

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Like Lertees[1] at sunrise, opening into life, are thine eyes;

Sparkling and darting like Zacostees[2] the most rare.

Their light overpowers as the air before a storm, when Raskutshi spreads his wings across the temples of his people.[3]

Soft as the Kamouska[4] thine eyes penetrate and search the soul with ingenuity exercised by Orestee[5] to find a treasure.

Sweet as the milk of the Meleeta[6] is thy breath.

Thy breasts are like the electricity of Turvee.[7]

Thy laugh is like the shooting of the stars,[8] silvery and wondrously charming.

Dangerous art thou, for thou allurest mankind from every pursuit, and, like to the electricity of the whale,[9] dost thou draw us far and near.

Then as the Martolooti[10] dost thou fascinate us to the spot.

Graceful as the Castrenka[11] move thine arms.

More playful than the Chilarti when it smiles,[12] and more luscious than the juice of the Tootmanyoso’s fruit[13] is the balm of thy lips.

The charms thou displayest are like the perfume emitted by the everlasting gulf;[14]

Durable in their attraction as the Yurdzin-nod.[15]

As surely dost thou penetrate the heart as the venom of the serpent permeates the blood.

Precious as the fat on the serpent’s head[16] is the marrow of thy bones.

Firm as the Mestua Mountain[17] is thy will.

In thy goodness thy maker must rejoice.

Thy constant love doth make me live many lives in one; a day seemeth a year, and a year but a day.

Rise, wet thy feet,[18] and onward let us go to Stainer’s fount.[19]

There to calm our thirst before singing to our Maker’s praise.

And even as that sweet source ever flows,

So may our lives flow to the end of time, as constant and as bright.

Then come to my arms, and twine thyself about me, and I will support thee with strength and power, as the Mountain Supporter[20] sustains the air-suspended cities of Montalluyah.

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