The wolf-cub at even lay hid in the corn, Where the smoke of the cooking hung grey: He knew where the doe made a couch for her fawn, And he looked to his strength for his prey. But the moon swept the smoke-wreaths away, And he turned from his meal in the villager's close, And he bayed to the moon as she rose. * * * * * The lark will make her hymn to God, The partridge call her brood, While I forget the heath I trod, The fields wherein I stood. Tis dule to know not night from morn, But greater dule to know I can but hear the hunter's horn That once I used to blow. * * * * * There were three friends that buried the fourth, The mould in his mouth and the dust in his eyes, And they went south and east and north-- The strong man fights but the sick man dies. There were three friends that spoke of the dead-- The strong man fights but the sick man dies-- 'And would he were here with us now,' they said, 'The sun in our face and the wind in our eyes.' * * * * * Yet at the last, ere our spearmen had found him, Yet at the last, ere a sword-thrust could save, Yet at the last, with his masters around him, He spoke of the Faith as a master to slave. Yet at the last, though the Kafirs had maimed him, Broken by bondage and wrecked by the reiver, Yet at the last, tho' the darkness had claimed him, He called upon Allah, and died a Believer! GALLIO'S SONG (And Gallio cared for none of these things.--ACTS xviii. 17) All day long to the judgment-seat The crazed Provincials drew-- All day long at their ruler's feet Howled for the blood of the Jew. Insurrection with one accord Banded itself and woke, And Paul was about to open his mouth When Achaia's Deputy spoke-- 'Whether the God descend from above Or the Man ascend upon high, Whether this maker of tents be Jove Or a younger deity-- I will be no judge between your gods And your godless bickerings. Lictor, drive them hence with rods-- I care for none of these things! 'Were it a question of lawful due Or Caesar's rule denied, Reason would I should bear with you And order it well to be tried; But this is a question of words and names. I know the strife it brings. I will not pass upon any your claims. I care for none of these things. 'One thing only I see most clear, As I pray you also see. Claudius Caesar hath set me here Rome's Deputy to be. It is Her peace that ye go to break-- Not mine, nor any king's. But, touching your clamour of "Conscience sake," I care for none of these things. 'Whether ye rise for the sake of a creed, Or riot in hope of spoil, Equally will I punish the deed, Equally check the broil; Nowise permitting injustice at all From whatever doctrine it springs-- But--whether ye follow Priapus or Paul, I care for none of these things.' THE BEES AND THE FLIES