Zeus was struck dumb at this unholy compact, But Hermes knew the shadow from the fact And took an oath that for whole chests of money Neither would faithless to the other be, Would not and could not, being twined together In such close love that he for want of her Removed one night-time from his side, would perish, And she was magnet-drawn by his least wish. Eternal Gods deny the sense of humour, That well might prejudice their infallible power, So Hermes and King Zeus not once considered, In treating of this idyll overheard, That love rehearses after life’s defeat Remembered conflicts of an earlier heat, Baucis, kind soul, was palsied, withered and bent, Philemon, too, was ten years impotent. THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN TELLS OF A FAMOUS MEETING Unknown to each other in a hostile camp, Spies of two empire nations unallied, These heroes met, princes of East and West, Over a ragged pack of cards, by chance. Never believe what credulous annalists Record you in good faith of that encounter. I was there myself, East’s man, and witnessed all. In the main camp of the Middle Kingdom’s army At a soldier’s mess, shortly before Retreat, East, a pretended trooper, stepping in 10 Glanced round the room, shortly discerning West, Who sat dejected at a corner table. East moved by curiosity or compassion Pulled out his cards, offering West the cut, And West, disguised as a travelling ballad-man, Took and cut; they played together then For half an hour or more; then went their ways. Never believe such credulous annalists As tell you, West for sign of recognition, Greatness to greatness, wit to dexterous wit, 20 With sleight of magic most extraordinary Alters the Duty on his Ace of Spades, Making three-pence three-halfpence; East, it’s said, For a fantastic sly acknowledgment, While his grave eyes betoken no surprise, Makes magic too; presto, the Knave of Hearts Nims the Queen’s rose and cocks it in his cap Furtively, so that only West remarks it. But such was not the fact; contrariwise, When Proteus meets with Proteus, each annuls 30 The variability of the other’s mind. Single they stand, casting their mutable cloaks. So for this present chance, I take my oath That leaning across and watching the cards close I caught no hint of prestidigitation.