@3All Voices:@1 O TERRIBLE and tender and divine! O mystic mother of all sacrifice, We deck the sombre altars of thy shrine With sacred basil leaves and saffron rice; All gifts of life and death we bring to thee, @3Uma Haimavati! Maidens:@1 We bring thee buds and berries from the wood! @3Brides:@1 We bring the rapture of our bridal prayer! @3Mothers:@1 And we the sweet travail of mother-hood! @3Widows:@1 And we the bitter vigils of despair! @3All Voices:@1 All gladness and all grief we bring to thee, @3Ambika! Parvati! Artisans:@1 We bring the lowly tribute of our toil! @3Peasants:@1 We bring our new-born goats and budded wheat! @3Victors:@1 And we the swords and symbols of our spoil! @3Vanquished:@1 And we the shame and sorrow of defeat! @3All Voices:@1 All triumph and all tears we bring to thee, @3Girija! Shambhavi! Scholars:@1 We bring the secrets of our ancient arts. @3Priests:@1 We bring the treasures of our ageless creeds. @3Poets:@1 And we the subtle music of our hearts. @3Patriots:@1 And we the sleepless worship of our deeds. @3All Voices:@1 All glory and all grace we bring to thee, @3Kali! Maheshwari!@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHARGE OF THE BREAD BRIGADE by EZRA POUND HYMN: 2 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD HYMN TO MONT BLANC [IN THE VALE OF CHAMOUNI] by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE AT CANDLE-LIGHTIN' TIME by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE HUDSON by GEORGE SIDNEY HELLMAN TO A CHAMELEON by MARIANNE MOORE TO THE UNKNOWN EROS: BOOK 1: 3. WINTER by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE |