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" The vision comes, I see the fatal day—
The work of Hate in mouldering ruin lies
But mark ! when years of travail pass away,
A nobler world from out the wreck shall rise."
And he is one who —
" Hails from far the coming ray
Of light that lurks in gloom ;
In garbage festering in decay,
The promised rose's bloom ! "
Another short poem, A Parable of Life, with
its grave melancholy pathos caused by witnessing
Nature's decay, discloses a lofty vision of hope.
" With saddened heart I mused, and then I saw
Elsewhere, afar, where life shall ever be—
That tree revived as by a higher law—
I saw it imaged in Eternity !"
Such poetry, an intimate record of Sir Niza-
mat's inner life, ought to have a special value for
the people of Hyderabad. It gives us something
of him direct from himself and helps us to under-
stand his personality. It does not invite, but
rather precludes criticism. He said :
" Twas not for fame, 'twas not for praise
I poured my spirit into song."
But praise his poetry did win from discerning
critics ; and pensive souls, I dare say, will always
feel consoled by its message. To me, as to some
other friends of his, the value of it lies in its power
to elevate and console by means of unquestioning
faith. It gives us hints of 'thoughts that do
often lie too deep for tears/