Noormahal The Fair.[1]

("Entre deux rocs d'un noir d'bne.")     [XXVII., November, 1828.]     Between two ebon rocks     Behold yon sombre den,     Where brambles bristle like the locks     Of wool between the horns of scapegoat banned by men!     Remote in ruddy fog     Still hear the tiger growl     At the lion and stripd dog     That prowl with rusty throats to taunt and roar and howl;     Whilst other monsters fast     The hissing basilisk;     The hippopotamus so vast,     And the boa with waking appetite made brisk!     The orfrey showing tongue,     The fly in stinging mood,     The elephant that crushes strong     And elastic bamboos an the scorpion's brood;     And the men of the trees     With their families fierce,     Till there is not one scorching breeze     But brings here its venom - its horror to pierce -     Yet, rather there be lone,     'Mid all those horrors there,     Than hear the sickly honeyed tone     And see the swimming eyes of Noormahal the Fair!