Rapt gazes from that sight of awe;

For as he swallowed down the dart

Of Brahmá, sparks from every part,

From finest pore and hair-cell, broke

Enveloped in a veil of smoke.

The staff he waved was all aglow

Like Yáma's sceptre, King below,

Or like the lurid fire of Fate

Whose rage the worlds will desolate.

The hermits, whom that sight had awed,