The Pariah I: The Pariah's Prayer

DREADED Brama, lord of might!
All proceed from thee alone;
Thou art he who judgeth right!

Dost thou none but Brahmins own?
Do but Rajahs come from thee?
None but those of high estate?

Didst not thou the ape create,
Aye, and even such as we?
We are not of noble kind,

For with woe our lot is rife;
And what others deadly find

Is our only source of life.
Let this be enough for men,
Let them, if they will, despise us;

But thou, Brama, thou shouldst prize us,
All are equal in thy ken.
Now that, Lord, this prayer is said,

As thy child acknowledge me;
Or let one be born in-stead,

Who may link me on to thee!
Didst not thou a Bayadere
As a goddess heavenward raise?

And we too to swell thy praise,
Such a miracle would hear.