The daughter of the Can was early wooed

By Aac, her brother, who with fervor sued;

A brother-prince by law must consort be;

In choice of one the future Queen was free.

And ’twas for Coh alone her own heart yearned;

Aac seeing this with jealous anger burned.

Those brothers fought as strangers cruel might;

Both wounded fell, a rueful, horrid sight!

Coh far and wide for valiant deeds was known;

The Princess MÓo her courage oft had shown;

That they should mated be was right and just;

Thus by the Can, who in them put full trust,

Their nuptials sanctioned were, and many a day,

On pleasure bent, the people had their way;

For Can regaled them all with lavish grant.

At break of day was heard the deep-toned chant:

Scarce rose the sun when crowds on sport intent,

From every door in quest of pleasure went;

All left their homes the time to pass away,

And on the air rang many a joyous lay

Of boy and girl who simple frolic sought,

And gaily sang with little care or thought.

Their smiles enticing young and old away;

As in and out about the streets they roamed,

They joked and sang while many a goblet foamed:

And well they did to quaff the honeyed cup—

Why keep the mind with bitter thoughts filled up,—

The watchful gods no pity ever take

On those who sullen gloom will not forsake;

But on bright smiles, reflecting cheerful heart,

Frown not, e’en if gay Folly play a part.

O beauteous night! when lingering footfall strayed,

And stars reflected seemed where firefly played,

Each leaflet murmured lover’s tenderness;

Soul’s ecstasy was pure and fathomless.

O mystic Love! to every trivial thing

A new and holy charm dost ever bring,

Creation glows for him who feels thy sway.

Of one we love Perfection is the name,

For love is breath of God, all potent flame!

Thus ’twas a lover sang, with rapture filled,

When bird on leafy bough had softly trilled:

But love and pain are one, so floweret sighed

When glistening dew to perfumed petal clung,

Imploring—“Wake me not! by zephyr swung,

Ah! let me linger in this happy state!

Ope not the way to pang that may await.”

But lovely Morn appeared with roseate ray,

And soon the god of day chased tears away;

Earth throbbed anew, leaves quivered with delight;

Flowers laughed, “We love! we live! thanks be to Night!”

In silent, sombre hour of deep repose

All form drinks in life’s force that ever flows;

And from the tranquil vale of balmy rest

Each being leaps—love’s joy they all attest.

On globes revolving night must follow day;

The universe doth this same law obey.

Pleasure with pain is mingled, gently kissed

By Sorrow, or regret for something missed;

As plaintive minor blends with major strain,

Fair Light’s attendant shades adorn her train.

And MÓo upon her marriage day had mourned,

For she by Oracle had been forewarned

That Coh from her might in the future time

Be torn by dastard treachery and crime.

Beyond that time the wiseman too could see

That MÓo, bereft and harshly wronged, would flee.

“In bitter woe this thought may thee uphold:

Both will return; the sister thou wilt be

And wife once more of him awaiting thee.”

The Prophet Cay taught Can’s eldest child;

With mystic lore their time was much beguiled;

For pupil would some day the High Priest be,Plate III.