To honest minds with zeal imbued the Pope's indulgence, their own merit Bestowed some licence to be lewd, and take--their preachers said "inherit." Even I who was in love with Christ, I with the conscience clean and cold That hankered not for lands or gold, was wondering how to clinch my hold On reputation, while our chiefs, before we could consolidate, Rode a great wallop round the State and split it into petty fiefs. Their overlords revolted me. Alas, for our brief unity! Edessa snarled at Antioch, Jerusalem at Tripoli. Poor Godfrey, who would not accept a crown where his Redeemer wore Thorns, nor be strong where Jesus wept! From the beginning weakness crept Into our councils. Worse, we watched the bulk of our brave lads disperse Well-pleased. At most we raised the ghost of needful power to hold their post. Franks and Provincials, German brutes that bullied babes and prostitutes, Lombards and Flemings, made for home with clapping and the sound of flutes. It flowed away, the unstable stuff, to whom a cause was but a noun. They stood to sea. Thank heaven 'twas rough! My place was here with my renown. They vanished ... home ... to Sunflower-tress ... home, where a man may die obscure! Far off a carle of Albemarle trolled chanties like a Siren's lure. _East, are you calling still, Who tried your strength of will For naught on brown Ulysses long ago? We have an island too, And haul away from you To cleaner kin that bend a stronger bow._ _Your caravans string out On many a golden route The turbaned Magi's offerings; but we Steer forth on loner trails Through rough wind-scented vales To England, the oasis of the sea._ _Child Jesus chose you, East, Not that He loved us least, But just because His Father had foreseen The dear and only Son Might dwell too long upon Our swinging greys and many-coloured green._ So we were left alone. The spring broke out in buds of bickering. Each summer brought contentious fruit. Strife waxed with every waning king. And I waxed also, better known, resolved to reap what I had sown. My childless manhood fixed my heart. The Holy Land was all my own.