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1892
THE FREED dove flew to the Rajah’s tower— | |
| Fled from the slaughter of Moslem kings— | |
| And the thorns have covered the city of Gaur. | |
| Dove—dove—oh, homing dove! | |
| Little white traitor, with woe on thy wings! | 5 |
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| The Rajah of Dacca rode under the wall; | |
| He set in his bosom a dove of flight— | |
| “If she return, be sure that I fall.” | |
| Dove—dove—oh, homing dove! | |
| Pressed to his heart in the thick of the fight. | 10 |
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| “Fire the palace, the fort, and the keep— | |
| Leave to the foeman no spoil at all. | |
| In the flame of the palace lie down and sleep | |
| If the dove—if the dove—if the homing dove | |
| Come and alone to the palace wall.” | 15 |
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| The Kings of the North they were scattered abroad— | |
| The Rajah of Dacca he slew them all. | |
| Hot from slaughter he stooped at the ford, | |
| And the dove—the dove—oh, the homing dove! | |
| She thought of her cote on the palace-wall. | 20 |
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| She opened her wings and she flew away— | |
| Fluttered away beyond recall; | |
| She came to the palace at break of day. | |
| Dove—dove—oh, homing dove, | |
| Flying so fast for a kingdom’s fall! | 25 |
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| The Queens of Dacca they slept in flame— | |
| Slept in the flame of the palace old— | |
| To save their honour from Moslem shame. | |
| And the dove—the dove—oh, the homing dove, | |
| She cooed to her young where the smoke-cloud rolled! | 30 |
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| The Rajah of Dacca rode far and fleet, | |
| Followed as fast as a horse could fly, | |
| He came and the palace was black at his feet; | |
| And the dove—the dove—the homing dove, | |
| Circled alone in the stainless sky. | 35 |
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| So the dove flew to the Rajah’s tower— | |
| Fled from the slaughter of Moslem kings; | |
| So the thorns covered the city of Gaur, | |
| And Dacca was lost for a white dove’s wings. | |
| Dove—dove—oh, homing dove, | 40 |
| Dacca is lost from the Roll of the Kings! | |
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