Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-12-12
BUDDAH AND THE HIEDoO MOTHER.

"hen they came unto the rivers side,
aMoman-loye-eyed, young, with fearful face
anu Al ~ liited hands-saluted, bending low
LORD, thou art he, she said, ''who yesterday
uiiai uai pity on me in the fig-grove here,
" mere live lone and reared nv child but he,
NIrAA ,sA ing amid the blossoms found snake
winch twined about his wrist, while he did laugh
and tease the quick-forkel tongue and opened
mouth
OF that cold playmate But alas ere long
He turned so pale and still, could not think
Nhy he should cease TO play, and let my breast
fall from his lips. And one said, He is sick
oi poison : and another, He will die
but l, who could not lose nv precious boy,
frayed OF them physic, which might 0rlng the
light
Back TO his eyes; 1t was so very small,
mat Kiss mark of the serpent, and thlhA
II y could not hate him. gracious as ne n "as' ,ii
Nor hurt him In his sport. And some one sdii'
There is a holy man upon the hill
Lo! now he passeth in his yellow robe
Ask of the Rish if there be cure
For that which ails thy son. Nhereon come
Trembling TO thee, whose brow Is like a gods
And wept and drew the face-cloth from my babe
PRAYING thee tell what simples may be good.
And thou, great sir ddst spurn me not, but sazed
With gentle eyes and touched with patient hand,
Then drew the face-cloth back, saying to me,
Yea. little sister, there is that might heal
Thee first, and him. thou couldst fetch the thing
For they who seek ply ysicians bring 10 them
What is ordained. Therefore, | pray thee, mud
Black mustard-seed. a tola only mark
Thou take ii not from any hand or house
" mere mere, father mother child or slave haih died
Thus ddst thou speak, my lord!-
The master smiled
Exceeding tenderly. "ieal lspake thus,
Dear hisagotsmi But didst thou lind
The seeds"
Il went Lord clasping to my breast
The babe grown colder asking at each hut
Here IN the jungle and toward the town
i pray you give me mustard OF your grace.
toia. black and each who had II gave,
FOR all the poor are piteous TO the poor;
But when asked, In my friends household here
hath any peradventure ever died
Husband, or wife, or child, or slaTe?' they said,
% sister what is this you ask the dead
are very many. and the living few"
50 with sad thanks gave the mustard back,
And PRAYED of others; but the others said,
Here is the seed. but We have lost our slave =
Here Is the seed, but our good man is dead!
Here is some seed, hut he that sowed II died,
Between the rain-time and the harvesting
Therefore left my child-who would not suck
Nor smile-beneath the wild vines by the stream
Where might find this seed and find no death.
II now, indeed, my baby be not dead,
As l do fear, and as they have said 10 me-
MY sister, thou hast found,r the master said,
Searching for what none nnds-that bitter balm
had to give thee. He thou lovedst slept
Dead on Thy bosom yesterday to-day
Ihou knowsl the whole wide world weeps with thy 4
woe:
The grief which all hearts share grow less for one
% would pour my blood If II could stay
Thy tears and win the secret of that curse
v Ahich makes sweet love cur anguish, and which |
drives
Der flowers and pastures TO the sacrifice
Is these dumb beasts are driven, men their lords.
seek that secret +; bury thou thy chldr'
Light Of Asia.