Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/240

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

218 TALES OF THE PUNJAB

figured, glorified, she shone on the fast-darkening horizon like a star.

And mighty Westarwan, noting the rosy radiance in the east, turned his proud eyes towards it; and, lo! the perfection of her beauty smote upon his senses with a sharp, wistful wonder that such loveliness could be—that such worthiness could exist in the world which he despised. The setting sun sank lower, reflecting a ruddier glow on Gwashbrari’s face; it seemed as if she blushed beneath the great King’s gaze. A mighty longing filled his soul, bursting from his lips in one passionate cry—‘O Gwashbrari! kiss me, or I die!’

The sound echoed through the valleys, while the startled peaks stood round expectant.

Beneath her borrowed blush Gwdshbrari smiled triumphant, as she answered back, ‘ How can that be, great King, and I so lowly? Even if I would, how could I reach your star-crowned head ?——-I who on tip-toe cannot touch your cloud-robed shoulder?’

Yet again the passionate cry rang out—‘I love you! kiss me, or I die!’

Then the glacier-hearted beauty whispered soft and low, the sweet music of her voice weaving a magical spell round the great Westarwan— 'You love me? Know you not that those who love must stoop? Bend your proud head to my lips, and seek the kiss I cannot choose but give!’

Slowly, surely, as one under a charm, the monarch of the mountains stooped—nearer and nearer to her radiant beauty, forgetful of all else in earth or sky.

The sun set. The rosy blush faded from Gwash- brari's fair false face, leaving it cold as ice, pitiless as

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.