Hard ruler there by right of might; An ageless Autocrat, Whose "good old rule" is "Appetite, And subjects fresh and fat; While they poor souls!-in wan despair. When the pond's terror too must go; Some bolder brood, with common blow, Or say, perchance the liker this!- Still hungry, lingers on, With dwindling trunk and wolfish jaw Revolving sullen things, But most the blind unequal law The blot that makes the cosmic All Yet lack the Small to eat! Who knows! Meanwhile the mosses bead And 'twixt the isles of water-weed VAN EASTERN APOLOGUE (TO E. H. P.) MELIK the Sultán, tired and wan, Nodded at noon on his diván. Beside the fountain lingered near Old Yusuf, sour and hard to please; Then JAMIL sang, in words like these. Slim is Butheina-slim is she "Nay," quoth the other, teeth between, Lean, if you will,-I call her lean." Sweet is Butheina-sweet as wine, With smiles that like red bubbles shine! "True, by the Prophet!" YUSUF said. "She makes men wander in the head!" Dear is Butheina-ah! more dear Than all the maidens of Kashmeer! "Dear," came the answer, quick as thought, "Dear.. and yet always to be bought." So JAMÍL ceased. But still Life's page Shows diverse unto YOUTH and AGE: And-be the song of ghouls or gods- ✔ TO A MISSAL OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY MISSAL of the Gothic age, Missal with the blazoned page, Whence, O Missal, hither come, From what dim scriptorium? Whose the name that wrought thee thus, Bending, through the waning light, O'er thy vellum scraped and white; Weaving 'twixt thy rubric lines. Sprays and leaves and quaint designs; Ah! a wondering brotherhood, Glad when his deft hand would paint Strife of Sathanas and Saint, Or in secret coign entwist Jest of cloister humourist. |