Houses of amber and of gold
That in the dawn their wealth unfold,
Of beauty sleeping as of old:
Jaipur!
Nor yet that ancient beauty quite
But something of the lilt and light
Of a dream-city bright at night,–
Jaipur!
The elephants that crowd your streets
In pageantry, the green retreats
Of peacocks where the kokil greets,–
Jaipur!
The gorgeous processions that glide
Along your level roads, the pride
Of history at every side,–
Jaipur!
And from your hills a splendour calls,
The glory of your castle-walls,
Of solemn temples, stately halls,–
Jaipur!
Of the watch-towers raised by kings
And shining lakes–ethereal things–
And gates where still the battle rings,–
Jaipur!
In Amber still the trumpet blows,
The drums beat and the warrior goes
Royally to meet his foes,–
Jaipur!
The audience-halls are shining still
Mirroring one undaunted will
And thronged with looks and arms that thrill,–
Jaipur!
In Amber still the temple glows
With gems and rubies that disclose
The goddess that congeals your foes,–
Jaipur!
Kali who has placed the crown
Upon your line of kings; her frown
Makes your tall foe trumble down,–
Jaipur!
And in these palaces lived queens
In their girlhood and their teens
Eveing the painted sights and scenes,–
Jaipur!
They saw on painted walls the streams
Of scared Jumna flow; in dreams
Enacted legendary themes,–
Jaipur!
They lived like caged birds and heard
The war-din and through sky-holes, blurred,
They saw the sky and the flag unfurled,–
Jaipur!
They did not see nor could they trace
The mad rush or the blood-red race
For power or for a woman’s face,–
Jaipur!
But they bore sons whose valour filled
The valleys with the foes they killed,
Whose deeds a million hearts have thrilled,–
Jaipur!
And also, when it was their turn,
They lay down on a pyre to burn
And became ashes in an urn,–
Jaipur!
Will you not, with this tale of sorrow
And glory, wake up in the morrow
And unto us become tomorrow,–
Jaipur!
Where Hindus and the Muslims eat
Together, rich and poor where meet
The East and West and fondly greet,–
Jaipur!