Icomedawaylikeableedin’toff,ForIgotfourniggerstocarrymeoff,AsIlayinthebightofacanvastrough,WhentheWidowgivetheparty。
\"Whatwastheendofalltheshow,Johnnie,Johnnie?\"
AskmyColonel,for~I~don’tknow,Johnnie,myJohnnie,aha!
WebrokeaKingandwebuiltaroad——
Acourt—housestandswherethereg’mentgoed。
Andtheriver’scleanwheretherawbloodflowedWhentheWidowgivetheparty。
(~Bugle~:Ta——rara——ra—ra—rara!)
FORDO’KABULRIVER
Kabultown’sbyKabulriver——
Blowthebugle,drawthesword——
ThereIlef’mymateforever,Wetan’drippin’bytheford。
Ford,ford,fordo’Kabulriver,Fordo’Kabulriverinthedark!
There’stheriverupandbrimmin’,an’there’s’arfasquadronswimmin’
’Crossthefordo’Kabulriverinthedark。
Kabultown’sablastedplace——
Blowthebugle,drawthesword——
’StrewthIsha’n’tforget’isfaceWetan’drippin’bytheford!
Ford,ford,fordo’Kabulriver,Fordo’Kabulriverinthedark!
Keepthecrossing—stakesbesideyou,an’theywillsurelyguideyou’Crossthefordo’Kabulriverinthedark。
Kabultownissunanddust——
Blowthebugle,drawthesword——
I’dha’soonerdrowndedfust’Steadof’imbesidetheford。
Ford,ford,fordo’Kabulriver,Fordo’Kabulriverinthedark!
Youcan’earthe’orsesthreshin’,youcan’earthemena—splashin’,’Crossthefordo’Kabulriverinthedark。
Kabultownwasourstotake——
Blowthebugle,drawthesword——
I’dha’leftitfor’issake——
’Imthatleftmebytheford。
Ford,ford,fordo’Kabulriver,Fordo’Kabulriverinthedark!
It’snonesobloomin’drythere;ain’tyounevercomin’nighthere,’Crossthefordo’Kabulriverinthedark?
Kabultown’llgotohell——
Blowthebugle,drawthesword——
’ForeIseehim’livean’well——
’Imthebestbesidetheford。
Ford,ford,fordo’Kabulriver,Fordo’Kabulriverinthedark!
Gawd’elp’emiftheyblunder,fortheirboots’llpull’emunder,Bythefordo’Kabulriverinthedark。
Turnyour’orsefromKabultown——
Blowthebugle,drawthesword——
’Iman’’arfmytroopisdown,Downan’drowndedbytheford。
Ford,ford,fordo’Kabulriver,Fordo’Kabulriverinthedark!
There’stheriverlowan’fallin’,butitain’tnouseo’callin’
’Crossthefordo’Kabulriverinthedark。
GENTLEMEN—RANKERS
Tothelegionofthelostones,tothecohortofthedamned,Tomybrethrenintheirsorrowoverseas,SingsagentlemanofEnglandcleanlybred,machinelycrammed,AndatrooperoftheEmpress,ifyouplease。
Yea,atrooperoftheforceswhohasrunhisownsixhorses,Andfaithhewentthepaceandwentitblind,Andtheworldwasmorethankinwhileheheldthereadytin,Butto—daytheSergeant’ssomethinglessthankind。
We’repoorlittlelambswho’velostourway,Baa!Baa!Baa!
We’relittleblacksheepwho’vegoneastray,Baa——aa——aa!
Gentlemen—rankersoutonthespree,DamnedfromheretoEternity,Godha’mercyonsuchaswe,Baa!Yah!Bah!
Oh,it’ssweettosweatthroughstables,sweettoemptykitchenslops,Andit’ssweettohearthetalesthetrooperstell,TodancewithblowzyhousemaidsattheregimentalhopsAndthrashthecadwhosaysyouwaltztoowell。
Yes,itmakesyoucock—a—hooptobe\"Rider\"toyourtroop,Andbrandedwithablastedworstedspur,Whenyouenvy,Ohowkeenly,onepoorTommybeingcleanlyWhoblacksyourbootsandsometimescallsyou\"Sir\"。
Ifthehomeweneverwriteto,andtheoathsweneverkeep,Andallweknowmostdistantandmostdear,Acrossthesnoringbarrack—roomreturntobreakoursleep,Canyoublameusifwesoakourselvesinbeer?
Whenthedrunkencomrademuttersandthegreatguard—lanternguttersAndthehorrorofourfalliswrittenplain,Everysecret,self—revealingontheachingwhite—washedceiling,Doyouwonderthatwedrugourselvesfrompain?
WehavedonewithHopeandHonour,wearelosttoLoveandTruth,Wearedroppingdowntheladderrungbyrung,Andthemeasureofourtormentisthemeasureofouryouth。
Godhelpus,forweknewtheworsttooyoung!
Ourshameiscleanrepentanceforthecrimethatbroughtthesentence,Ourprideitistoknownospurofpride,AndtheCurseofReubenholdsustillanalienturfenfoldsusAndwedie,andnonecantellThemwherewedied。
We’repoorlittlelambswho’velostourway,Baa!Baa!Baa!
We’relittleblacksheepwho’vegoneastray,Baa——aa——aa!
Gentlemen—rankersoutonthespree,DamnedfromheretoEternity,Godha’mercyonsuchaswe,Baa!Yah!Bah!
ROUTEMARCHIN’
We’remarchin’onreliefoverInjia’ssunnyplains,Alittlefronto’Christmas—timean’justbe’indtheRains;
Ho!getawayyoubullock—man,you’ve’eardthebugleblowed,There’saregimenta—comin’downtheGrandTrunkRoad;
WithitsbestfootfirstAndtheroada—slidingpast,An’everybloomin’campin’—groundexactlylikethelast;
WhiletheBigDrumsays,With’is\"~rowdy—dowdy—dow!~\"——
\"~Kikokissywarsti~don’tyou~hamsherargyjow?~\"*
*Whydon’tyougeton?
Oh,there’sthemInjiantemplestoadmirewhenyousee,There’sthepeacockroundthecorneran’themonkeyupthetree,An’there’sthatrummysilvergrassa—wavin’inthewind,An’theoldGrandTrunka—trailin’likearifle—slingbe’ind。
Whileit’sbestfootfirst,……
Athalf—pastfive’sRevelly,an’ourtentstheydownmustcome,Likealotofbuttonmushroomswhenyoupick’emupat’ome。
Butit’soverinaminute,an’atsixthecolumnstarts,Whilethewomenandthekiddiessitan’shiverinthecarts。
An’it’sbestfootfirst,……
Oh,thenit’sopenorder,an’welightsourpipesan’sings,An’wetalksaboutourrationsan’alotofotherthings,An’wethinkso’friendsinEngland,an’wewonderswhatthey’reat,An’’owtheywouldadmirefortohearusslingthe~bat~。*
An’it’sbestfootfirst,……
*Language。Thomas’sfirstandfirmestconvictionisthatheisaprofoundOrientalistandafluentspeakerofHindustani。
Asamatteroffact,hedependslargelyonthesign—language。
It’snonesobado’Sunday,whenyou’relyin’atyourease,Towatchthekitesa—wheelin’roundthemfeather—’eadedtrees,Foralthoughthereain’tnowomen,yetthereain’tnobarrick—yards,Sotheorficersgoesshootin’an’thementheyplaysatcards。
Tillit’sbestfootfirst,……
So’arkan’’eed,yourookies,whichisalwaysgrumblin’sore,There’sworserthingsthanmarchin’fromUmballatoCawnpore;
An’ifyour’eelsareblisteredan’theyfeelsto’urtlike’ell,Youdropsometallowinyoursocksan’thatwillmake’emwell。
Forit’sbestfootfirst,……
We’remarchin’onreliefoverInjia’scoralstrand,Eight’undredfightin’Englishmen,theColonel,andtheBand;
Ho!getawayyoubullock—man,you’ve’eardthebugleblowed,There’saregimenta—comin’downtheGrandTrunkRoad;
WithitsbestfootfirstAndtheroada—slidingpast,An’everybloomin’campin’—groundexactlylikethelast;
WhiletheBigDrumsays,With’is\"~rowdy—dowdy—dow!~\"——
\"~Kikokissywarsti~don’tyou~hamsherargyjow?~\"
SHILLIN’ADAY
MynameisO’Kelly,I’veheardtheRevellyFromBirrtoBareilly,fromLeedstoLahore,Hong—KongandPeshawur,LucknowandEtawah,Andfifty—fivemoreallendin’in\"pore\"。
BlackDeathandhisquickness,thedepthandthethickness,OfsorrowandsicknessI’veknownonmyway,ButI’moldandI’mnervis,I’mcastfromtheService,AndallIdeserveisashillin’aday。
(~Chorus~)Shillin’aday,Bloomin’goodpay——
Luckytotouchit,ashillin’aday!
Oh,itdrivesmehalfcrazytothinkofthedaysI
WentslapfortheGhazi,myswordatmyside,WhenwerodeHell—for—leatherBothsquadronstogether,Thatdidn’tcarewhetherwelivedorwedied。
Butit’snousedespairin’,mywifemustgocharin’
An’mecommissairin’thepay—billstobetter,Soifmeyoube’oldInthewetandthecold,BytheGrandMetropold,won’tyougivemealetter?
(~Fullchorus~)Give’imaletter——
’Can’tdonobetter,LateTroop—Sergeant—Majoran’——runswithaletter!
Thinkwhat’e’sbeen,Thinkwhat’e’sseen,Thinkofhispensionan’————
GAWDSAVETHEQUEEN。
OTHERVERSES
THEBALLADOFEASTANDWEST
Oh,EastisEast,andWestisWest,andneverthetwainshallmeet,TillEarthandSkystandpresentlyatGod’sgreatJudgmentSeat;
ButthereisneitherEastnorWest,Border,norBreed,norBirth,Whentwostrongmenstandfacetoface,tho’theycomefromtheendsoftheearth!
KamalisoutwithtwentymentoraisetheBorder—side,AndhehasliftedtheColonel’smarethatistheColonel’spride:
Hehasliftedheroutofthestable—doorbetweenthedawnandtheday,Andturnedthecalkinsuponherfeet,andriddenherfaraway。
ThenupandspoketheColonel’ssonthatledatroopoftheGuides:
\"IsthereneveramanofallmymencansaywhereKamalhides?\"
ThenupandspokeMahommedKhan,thesonoftheRessaldar:
\"Ifyeknowthetrackofthemorning—mist,yeknowwherehispicketsare。
AtduskheharriestheAbazai——atdawnheisintoBonair,ButhemustgobyFortBuklohtohisownplacetofare,SoifyegalloptoFortBuklohasfastasabirdcanfly,BythefavourofGodyemaycuthimofferehewintotheTongueofJagai。
ButifhebepasttheTongueofJagai,rightswiftlyturnyethen,ForthelengthandthebreadthofthatgrislyplainissownwithKamal’smen。
Thereisrocktotheleft,androcktotheright,andlowleanthornbetween,Andyemayhearabreech—boltsnickwhereneveramanisseen。\"
TheColonel’ssonhastakenahorse,andarawroughdunwashe,WiththemouthofabellandtheheartofHellandtheheadofthegallows—tree。
TheColonel’ssontotheForthaswon,theybidhimstaytoeat——
WhoridesatthetailofaBorderthief,hesitsnotlongathismeat。
He’supandawayfromFortBuklohasfastashecanfly,Tillhewasawareofhisfather’smareinthegutoftheTongueofJagai,Tillhewasawareofhisfather’smarewithKamaluponherback,Andwhenhecouldspythewhiteofhereye,hemadethepistolcrack。
Hehasfiredonce,hehasfiredtwice,butthewhistlingballwentwide。
\"Yeshootlikeasoldier,\"Kamalsaid。\"Shownowifyecanride。\"
It’supandovertheTongueofJagai,asblowndustdevilsgo,Thedunhefledlikeastagoften,butthemarelikeabarrendoe。
Thedunheleanedagainstthebitandsluggedhisheadabove,Buttheredmareplayedwiththesnaffle—bars,asamaidenplayswithaglove。
Therewasrocktotheleftandrocktotheright,andlowleanthornbetween,Andthriceheheardabreech—boltsnicktho’neveramanwasseen。
Theyhaveriddenthelowmoonoutofthesky,theirhoofsdrumupthedawn,Thedunhewentlikeawoundedbull,butthemarelikeanew—rousedfawn。
Thedunhefellatawater—course——inawofulheapfellhe,AndKamalhasturnedtheredmareback,andpulledtheriderfree。
Hehasknockedthepistoloutofhishand——smallroomwastheretostrive,\"’Twasonlybyfavourofmine,\"quothhe,\"yerodesolongalive:
Therewasnotarockfortwentymile,therewasnotaclumpoftree,Butcoveredamanofmyownmenwithhisriflecockedonhisknee。
IfIhadraisedmybridle—hand,asIhavehelditlow,Thelittlejackalsthatfleesofastwerefeastingallinarow:
IfIhadbowedmyheadonmybreast,asIhaveheldithigh,Thekitethatwhistlesaboveusnowweregorgedtillshecouldnotfly。\"
LightlyansweredtheColonel’sson:\"Dogoodtobirdandbeast,Butcountwhocomeforthebrokenmeatsbeforethoumakestafeast。
Ifthereshouldfollowathousandswordstocarrymybonesaway,Belikethepriceofajackal’smealweremorethanathiefcouldpay。
Theywillfeedtheirhorseonthestandingcrop,theirmenonthegarneredgrain,Thethatchofthebyreswillservetheirfireswhenallthecattleareslain。
Butifthouthinkestthepricebefair,——thybrethrenwaittosup,Thehoundiskintothejackal—spawn,——howl,dog,andcallthemup!
Andifthouthinkestthepricebehigh,insteerandgearandstack,Givememyfather’smareagain,andI’llfightmyownwayback!\"
Kamalhasgrippedhimbythehandandsethimuponhisfeet。
\"Notalkshallbeofdogs,\"saidhe,\"whenwolfandgraywolfmeet。
MayIeatdirtifthouhasthurtofmeindeedorbreath;
WhatdamoflancesbroughttheeforthtojestatthedawnwithDeath?\"
LightlyansweredtheColonel’sson:\"Iholdbythebloodofmyclan:
Takeupthemareformyfather’sgift——byGod,shehascarriedaman!\"
TheredmarerantotheColonel’sson,andnuzzledagainsthisbreast;
\"Webetwostrongmen,\"saidKamalthen,\"butsheloveththeyoungerbest。
Sosheshallgowithalifter’sdower,myturquoise—studdedrein,Mybroideredsaddleandsaddle—cloth,andsilverstirrupstwain。\"
TheColonel’ssonapistoldrewandhelditmuzzle—end,\"Yehavetakentheonefromafoe,\"saidhe;
\"willyetakethematefromafriend?\"
\"Agiftforagift,\"saidKamalstraight;\"alimbfortheriskofalimb。
Thyfatherhassenthissontome,I’llsendmysontohim!\"
Withthathewhistledhisonlyson,thatdroppedfromamountain—crest——
Hetrodthelinglikeabuckinspring,andhelookedlikealanceinrest。
\"Nowhereisthymaster,\"Kamalsaid,\"wholeadsatroopoftheGuides,Andthoumustrideathisleftsideasshieldonshoulderrides。
TillDeathorIcutloosethetie,atcampandboardandbed,Thylifeishis——thyfateitistoguardhimwiththyhead。
So,thoumusteattheWhiteQueen’smeat,andallherfoesarethine,Andthoumustharrythyfather’sholdforthepeaceoftheBorder—line,Andthoumustmakeatroopertoughandhackthywaytopower——
BeliketheywillraisetheetoRessaldarwhenIamhangedinPeshawur。\"
Theyhavelookedeachotherbetweentheeyes,andtheretheyfoundnofault,TheyhavetakentheOathoftheBrother—in—Bloodonleavenedbreadandsalt:
TheyhavetakentheOathoftheBrother—in—Bloodonfireandfresh—cutsod,OnthehiltandthehaftoftheKhyberknife,andtheWondrousNamesofGod。
TheColonel’ssonheridesthemareandKamal’sboythedun,AndtwohavecomebacktoFortBuklohwheretherewentforthbutone。
AndwhentheydrewtotheQuarter—Guard,fulltwentyswordsflewclear——
Therewasnotamanbutcarriedhisfeudwiththebloodofthemountaineer。
\"Ha’done!ha’done!\"saidtheColonel’sson。
\"Putupthesteelatyoursides!
LastnightyehadstruckataBorderthief——
to—night’tisamanoftheGuides!\"
Oh,EastisEast,andWestisWest,andneverthetwainshallmeet,TillEarthandSkystandpresentlyatGod’sgreatJudgmentSeat;
ButthereisneitherEastnorWest,Border,norBreed,norBirth,Whentwostrongmenstandfacetoface,tho’theycomefromtheendsoftheearth!
THELASTSUTTEE
NotmanyyearsagoaKingdiedinoneoftheRajpootStates。
Hiswives,disregardingtheordersoftheEnglishagainstSuttee,wouldhavebrokenoutofthepalacehadnotthegatesbeenbarred。
Butoneofthem,disguisedastheKing’sfavouritedancing—girl,passedthroughthelineofguardsandreachedthepyre。There,hercouragefailing,sheprayedhercousin,abaronofthecourt,tokillher。Thishedid,notknowingwhoshewas。
UdaiChandlaysicktodeathInhisholdbyGungrahill。
Allnightweheardthedeath—gongsringForthesoulofthedyingRajpootKing,Allnightbeatupfromthewomen’swingAcrythatwecouldnotstill。
Allnightthebaronscameandwent,Thelordsoftheouterguard:
AllnightthecressetsglimmeredpaleOnUlwarsabreandTonkjezail,MewarheadstallandMarwarmail,Thatclinkedinthepalaceyard。
IntheGoldenroomonthepalaceroofAllnighthefoughtforair:
Andtherewassobbingbehindthescreen,Rustleandwhisperofwomenunseen,AndthehungryeyesoftheBoondiQueenOnthedeathshemightnotshare。
Hepassedatdawn——thedeath—fireleapedFromridgetoriver—head,FromtheMalwaplainstotheAbuscars:
AndwailuponwailwentuptothestarsBehindthegrimzenana—bars,WhentheyknewthattheKingwasdead。
ThedumbpriestknelttotiehismouthAndrobehimforthepyre。
TheBoondiQueenbeneathuscried:
\"See,now,thatwedieasourmothersdiedInthebridal—bedbyourmaster’sside!
Out,women!——tothefire!\"
Wedrovethegreatgateshomeapace:
Whitehandswereonthesill:
ButeretherushoftheunseenfeetHadreachedtheturntotheopenstreet,Thebarsshotdown,theguard—drumbeat——
Weheldthedovecotstill。
Afacelookeddowninthegatheringday,Andlaughingspokefromthewall:
\"Oh]/e,theymournhere:letmeby——
Azizun,theLucknownautch—girl,I!
Whenthehouseisrotten,theratsmustfly,AndIseekanotherthrall。
\"ForIruledtheKingasne’erdidQueen,——
To—nighttheQueensruleme!
Guardthemsafely,butletmego,OrevertheypaythedebttheyoweInscourgeandtorture!\"Sheleapedbelow,Andthegrimguardwatchedherflee。
TheyknewthattheKinghadspenthissoulOnaNorth—breddancing—girl:
Thatheprayedtoaflat—nosedLucknowgod,Andkissedthegroundwhereherfeethadtrod,Anddoomedtodeathatherdrunkennod,Andsworebyherlightestcurl。
WeboretheKingtohisfathers’place,WherethetombsoftheSun—bornstand:
Wherethegrayapesswing,andthepeacockspreenOnfrettedpillarandjewelledscreen,AndthewildboarcouchinthehouseoftheQueenOnthedriftofthedesertsand。
Theheraldreadhistitlesforth,Wesetthelogsaglow:
\"FriendoftheEnglish,freefromfear,BaronofLunitoJeysulmeer,LordoftheDesertofBikaneer,KingoftheJungle,——go!\"
AllnighttheredflamestabbedtheskyWithwaveringwind—tossedspears:
AndoutofashatteredtemplecreptAwomanwhoveiledherheadandwept,AndcalledontheKing——butthegreatKingslept,Andturnednotforhertears。
Smallthoughthadhetomarkthestrife——
Coldfearwithhotdesire——
Whenthricesheleapedfromtheleapingflame,Andthriceshebeatherbreastforshame,AndthricelikeawoundeddoveshecameAndmoanedaboutthefire。
Onewatched,abow—shotfromtheblaze,Thesilentstreetsbetween,WhohadstoodbytheKinginsportandfray,Tobladeinambushorboaratbay,Andhewasabaronoldandgray,AndkintotheBoondiQueen。
Hesaid:\"Oshameless,putasideTheveiluponthybrow!
WhoheldtheKingandallhislandTothewantonwillofaharlot’shand!
Willthewhiteashrisefromtheblisteredbrand?
Stoopdown,andcallhimnow!\"
Thenshe:\"Bythefaithofmytarnishedsoul,AllthingsIdidnotwell,Ihadhopedtoclearerethefiredied,Andlaymedownbymymaster’ssideToruleinHeavenhisonlybride,WhiletheothershowlinHell。
\"ButIhavefeltthefire’sbreath,Andharditistodie!
YetifImayprayaRajpootlordTosullythesteelofaThakur’sswordWithbase—bornbloodofatradeabhorred,\"——
AndtheThakuranswered,\"Ay。\"
Hedrewandstruck:thestraightbladedrankThelifebeneaththebreast。
\"IhadlookedfortheQueentofacetheflame,ButtheharlotdiesfortheRajpootdame——
Sisterofmine,pass,freefromshame,PasswiththyKingtorest!\"
Theblacklogcrashedabovethewhite:
Thelittleflamesandlean,Redasslaughterandblueassteel,Thatwhistledandflutteredfromheadtoheel,Leapedupanew,fortheyfoundtheirmealOntheheartof——theBoondiQueen!
THEBALLADOFTHEKING’SMERCY
AbdhurRahman,theDuraniChief,ofhimisthestorytold。
HismercyfillstheKhyberhills——hisgraceismanifold;
HehastakentolloftheNorthandtheSouth——
hisgloryreachethfar,AndtheytellthetaleofhischarityfromBalkhtoKandahar。
BeforetheoldPeshawurGate,whereKurdandKaffirmeet,TheGovernorofKabuldealttheJusticeoftheStreet,Andthatwasstraitasrunningnooseandswiftasplungingknife,Tho’hewhoheldthelongerpursemightholdthelongerlife。
TherewasahoundofHindustanhadstruckaEuzufzai,Whereforetheyspatuponhisfaceandledhimouttodie。
ItchancedtheKingwentforththathourwhenthroatwasbaredtoknife;
TheKaffirgrovelledunder—hoofandclamouredforhislife。
ThensaidtheKing:\"Havehope,Ofriend!Yea,Deathdisgracedishard;
Muchhonourshallbethine\";andcalledtheCaptainoftheGuard,YarKhan,abastardoftheBlood,socity—babblesaith,AndhewashonouredoftheKing——thewhichissalttoDeath;
AndhewassonofDaoudShah,theReiverofthePlains,AndbloodofoldDuraniLordsranfireinhisveins;
And’twastotameanAfghanpridenorHellnorHeavencouldbind,TheKingwouldmakehimbutchertoayelpingcurofHind。
\"Strike!\"saidtheKing。\"King’sbloodartthou——
hisdeathshallbehispride!\"
Thenlouder,thatthecrowdmightcatch:\"Fearnot——hisarmsaretied!\"
YarKhandrewcleartheKhyberknife,andstruck,andsheathedagain。
\"Oman,thywillisdone,\"quothhe;\"aKingthisdoghathslain。\"
AbdhurRahman,theDuraniChief,totheNorthandtheSouthissold。
TheNorthandtheSouthshallopentheirmouthtoaGhilzaiflagunrolled,WhenthebiggunsspeaktotheKhyberpeak,andhisdog—Heratisfly:
Yehaveheardthesong——Howlong?Howlong?
WolvesoftheAbazai!
Thatnightbeforethewatchwasset,whenallthestreetswereclear,TheGovernorofKabulspoke:\"MyKing,hastthounofear?
Thouknowest——thouhastheard,\"——hisspeechdiedathismaster’sface。
AndgrimlysaidtheAfghanKing:\"IruletheAfghanrace。
Mypathismine——seethoutothine——to—nightuponthybedThinkwhotherebeinKabulnowthatclamourforthyhead。\"
ThatnightwhenallthegateswereshuttoCityandtothrone,Withinalittlegarden—housetheKinglaydownalone。
Beforethesinkingofthemoon,whichistheNightofNight,YarKhancamesoftlytotheKingtomakehishonourwhite。
Thechildrenofthetownhadmockedbeneathhishorse’shoofs,Theharlotsofthetownhadhailedhim\"butcher!\"fromtheirroofs。
Butashegropedagainstthewall,twohandsuponhimfell,TheKingbehindhisshoulderspake:\"Deadman,thoudostnotwell!
’TisilltojestwithKingsbydayandseekaboonbynight;
Andthatthoubearestinthyhandisalltoosharptowrite。
Butthreedayshence,ifGodbegood,andifthystrengthremain,Thoushaltdemandoneboonofmeandblessmeinthypain。
ForIammercifultoall,andmostofalltothee。
Mybutcheroftheshambles,rest——noknifehastthouforme!\"
AbdhurRahman,theDuraniChief,holdshardbytheSouthandtheNorth;
ButtheGhilzaiknows,erethemeltingsnows,whentheswollenbanksbreakforth,Whenthered—coatscrawltothesungarwall,andhisUsbeglancesfail:
Yehaveheardthesong——Howlong?Howlong?
WolvesoftheZukaKheyl!
Theystonedhimintherubbish—fieldwhendawnwasinthesky,Accordingtothewrittenword,\"Seethathedonotdie。\"
Theystonedhimtillthestoneswerepiledabovehimontheplain,Andthosethelabouringlimbsdisplacedtheytumbledbackagain。
Onewatchedbesidethedrearymoundthatveiledthebatteredthing,AndhimtheKingwithlaughtercalledtheHeraldoftheKing。
Itwasuponthesecondnight,thenightofRamazan,ThewatcherleaningearthwardheardthemessageofYarKhan。
Fromshatteredbreastthroughshrivelledlipsbrokeforththerattlingbreath,\"CreatureofGod,delivermefromagonyofDeath。\"
TheysoughttheKingamonghisgirls,andriskedtheirlivesthereby:
\"ProtectorofthePitiful,giveordersthathedie!\"
\"Bidhimendureuntiltheday,\"alagginganswercame;
\"Thenightisshort,andhecanprayandlearntoblessmyname。\"
Beforethedawnthreetimeshespoke,andonthedayoncemore:
\"CreatureofGod,deliverme,andblesstheKingtherefor!\"
Theyshothimatthemorningprayer,toeasehimofhispain,Andwhenheheardthematchlocksclink,heblessedtheKingagain。
Whichthingthesingersmadeasongforalltheworldtosing,SothattheOuterSeasmayknowthemercyoftheKing。
AbdhurRahman,theDuraniChief,ofhimisthestorytold,HehasopenedhismouthtotheNorthandtheSouth,theyhavestuffedhismouthwithgold。
Yeknowthetruthofhistenderruth——andsweethisfavoursare:
Yehaveheardthesong——Howlong?Howlong?
fromBalkhtoKandahar。
THEBALLADOFTHEKING’SJEST
Whenspring—timeflushesthedesertgrass,OurkafilaswindthroughtheKhyberPass。
Leanarethecamelsbutfatthefrails,Lightarethepursesbutheavythebales,AsthesnowboundtradeoftheNorthcomesdownTothemarket—squareofPeshawurtown。
Inaturquoisetwilight,crispandchill,Akafilacampedatthefootofthehill。
Thenbluesmoke—hazeofthecookingrose,Andtent—pegansweredtohammer—nose;
Andthepicketedponies,shagandwild,Strainedattheirropesasthefeedwaspiled;
AndthebubblingcamelsbesidetheloadSprawledforafurlongadowntheroad;
AndthePersianpussy—cats,broughtforsale,Spatatthedogsfromthecamel—bale;
Andthetribesmenbellowedtohastenthefood;
Andthecamp—firestwinkledbyFortJumrood;
AndtherefledonthewingsofthegatheringduskAsavourofcamelsandcarpetsandmusk,Amurmurofvoices,areekofsmoke,TotellusthetradeoftheKhyberwoke。
Thelidoftheflesh—potchatteredhigh,Thekniveswerewhettedand——thencameI
ToMahbubAlithemuleteer,Patchinghisbridlesandcountinghisgear,Crammedwiththegossipofhalfayear。
ButMahbubAlithekindlysaid,\"Betterisspeechwhenthebellyisfed。\"
Soweplungedthehandtothemid—wristdeepInacinnamonstewofthefat—tailedsheep,Andhewhoneverhathtastedthefood,ByAllah!heknowethnotbadfromgood。
Wecleansedourbeardsofthemutton—grease,Welayonthematsandwerefilledwithpeace,Andthetalkslidnorth,andthetalkslidsouth,Withtheslidingpuffsfromthehookah—mouth。
Fourthingsgreaterthanallthingsare,——
WomenandHorsesandPowerandWar。
Wespakeofthemall,butthelastthemost,ForIsoughtawordofaRussianpost,Ofashiftypromise,anunsheathedswordAndagray—coatguardontheHelmundford。
ThenMahbubAliloweredhiseyesInthefashionofonewhoisweavinglies。
Quothhe:\"OftheRussianswhocansay?
Whenthenightisgatheringallisgray。
ButwelookthatthegloomofthenightshalldieInthemorningflushofablood—redsky。
Friendofmyheart,isitmeetorwiseTowarnaKingofhisenemies?
WeknowwhatHeavenorHellmaybring,ButnomanknoweththemindoftheKing。
ThatunsoughtcounseliscursedofGodAttesteththestoryofWaliDad。
\"Hissirewasleakyoftongueandpen,HisdamwasacluckingKhuttuckhen;
Andthecoltbredclosetotheviceofeach,Forhecarriedthecurseofanunstanchedspeech。
Therewithmadness——sothathesoughtThefavourofkingsattheKabulcourt;
Andtravelled,inhopeofhonour,farTothelinewherethegray—coatsquadronsare。
TherehaveIjourneyedtoo——butI
Sawnaught,saidnaught,and——didnotdie!
Heharkedtorumour,andsnatchedatabreathOf`thisoneknoweth’and`thatonesaith’,——
LegendsthatranfrommouthtomouthOfagray—coatcoming,andsackoftheSouth。
ThesehaveIalsoheard——theypassWitheachnewspringandthewintergrass。
\"Hot—footsouthward,forgottenofGod,BacktothecityranWaliDad,EventoKabul——infulldurbarTheKingheldtalkwithhisChiefinWar。
Intothepressofthecrowdhebroke,Andwhathehadheardofthecomingspoke。
\"ThenGholamHyder,theRedChief,smiled,Asamothermightonababblingchild;
Butthosewhowouldlaughrestrainedtheirbreath,WhenthefaceoftheKingshoweddarkasdeath。
EvilitisinfulldurbarTocrytoarulerofgatheringwar!
Slowlyheledtoapeach—treesmall,Thatgrewbyacleftofthecitywall。
Andhesaidtotheboy:`TheyshallpraisethyzealSolongastheredspurtfollowsthesteel。
AndtheRussisuponusevennow?
Greatisthyprudence——awaitthem,thou。
Watchfromthetree。Thouartyoungandstrong,Surelythyvigilisnotforlong。
TheRussisuponus,thyclamourran?
Surelyanhourshallbringtheirvan。
Waitandwatch。Whenthehostisnear,Shoutaloudthatmymenmayhear。’
\"Friendofmyheart,isitmeetorwiseTowarnaKingofhisenemies?
Aguardwassetthathemightnotflee——
Ascoreofbayonetsringedthetree。
Thepeach—bloomfellinshowersofsnow,Whenheshookathisdeathashelookedbelow。
BythepowerofGod,whoaloneisgreat,Tilltheseventhdayhefoughtwithhisfate。
Thenmadnesstookhim,andmendeclareHemowedinthebranchesasapeandbear,Andlastasasloth,erehisbodyfailed,Andhehungasabatintheforks,andwailed,Andsleepthecordofhishandsuntied,Andhefell,andwascaughtonthepointsanddied。
\"Heartofmyheart,isitmeetorwiseTowarnaKingofhisenemies?
WeknowwhatHeavenorHellmaybring,ButnomanknoweththemindoftheKing。
Ofthegray—coatcomingwhocansay?
Whenthenightisgatheringallisgray。
Twothingsgreaterthanallthingsare,ThefirstisLove,andthesecondWar。
AndsinceweknownothowWarmayprove,Heartofmyheart,letustalkofLove!\"
WITHSCINDIATODELHI
Morethanahundredyearsago,inagreatbattlefoughtnearDelhi,anIndianPrincerodefiftymilesafterthedaywaslostwithabeggar—girl,whohadlovedhimandfollowedhiminallhiscamps,onhissaddle—bow。Helostthegirlwhenalmostwithinsightofsafety。
AMarattatroopertellsthestory:——
Thewreathofbanquetovernightlaywitheredontheneck,Ourhandsandscarfsweresaffron—dyedforsignalofdespair,WhenwewentforthtoPaniputtobattlewiththe~Mlech~,——
ErewecamebackfromPaniputandleftakingdomthere。
ThricethirtythousandmenwerewetoforcetheJumnafords——
Thehawk—wingedhorseofDamajee,mailedsquadronsoftheBhao,Starkleviesofthesouthernhills,theDeccan’ssharpestswords,Andhetheharlot’straitorsonthegoatherdMulharRao!
Thricethirtythousandmenwerewebeforethemistshadcleared,Thelowwhitemistsofmorningheardthewar—conchscreamandbray;
WecalleduponBhowaniandwegrippedthembythebeard,Werolleduponthemlikeafloodandwashedtheirranksaway。
ThechildrenofthehillsofKhostbeforeourlancesran,WedrovetheblackRohillasbackascattletothepen;
’TwasthenweneededMulharRaotoendwhatwebegan,Athousandmenhadsavedthecharge;hefledthefieldwithten!
Therewasnoroomtoclearasword——nopowertostrikeablow,Forfoottofoot,ay,breasttobreast,thebattleheldusfast——
Savewherethenakedhill—menran,andstabbingfrombelowBroughtdownthehorseandriderandwetrampledthemandpassed。
Tolefttheroarofmusketryranglikeafallingflood——
Torightthesunshinerippledredfromredderlanceandblade——
Abovethedark~Upsaras~*flew,beneathusplashedtheblood,And,bellyingblackagainstthedust,theBhagwaJhandaswayed。
*TheChoosersoftheSlain。
Isawitfallinsmokeandfire,thebanneroftheBhao;
Iheardavoiceacrossthepressofonewhocalledinvain:——
\"Ho!AnandRaoNimbalkhur,ride!GetaidofMulharRao!
Goshamehissquadronsintofight——theBhao——theBhaoisslain!\"
Thereat,aswhenasand—barbreaksinclottedspumeandspray——
WhenrainoflaterautumnsweepstheJumnawater—head,Beforetheirchargefromflanktoflankourrivenranksgaveway;
ButofthewatersofthatfloodtheJumnafordsranred。
IheldbyScindia,mylord,ascloseasmanmighthold;
ASoobahoftheDeccanasksnoaidtoguardhislife;
ButHolkar’sHorsewereflying,andourchiefestchiefswerecold,AndlikeaflameamongusleaptthelongleanNorthernknife。
IheldbyScindia——mylancefrombutttotuftwasdyed,Thefrothofbattlebossedtheshieldandropedthebridle—chain——
Whattimebeneathourhorses’feetamaidenroseandcried,AndclungtoScindia,andIturnedasword—cutfromthetwain。
(Hesetaspelluponthemaidinwoodlandslongago,AhunterbytheTaptibanksshegavehimwaterthere:
Heturnedherhearttowater,andshefollowedtoherwoe。
WhatneedhadheofLalunwhohadtwentymaidsasfair?)
Nowinthathourstrengthleftmylord;hewrenchedhismareaside;
Heboundthegirlbehindhimandweslashedandstruggledfree。
AcrossthereelingwreckofstrifewerodeasshadowsrideFromPaniputtoDelhitown,butnotalonewerewe。
’TwasLutuf—UllahPopulzailaidhorseuponourtrack,Aswine—fedreiveroftheNorththatlustedforthemaid;
Imighthavebarredhispathawhile,butScindiacalledmeback,AndI——OwoeforScindia!——Ilistenedandobeyed。
Leagueafterleaguetheformlessscrubtookshapeandglidedby——
Leagueafterleaguethewhiteroadswirledbehindthewhitemare’sfeet——
Leagueafterleague,whenleaguesweredone,weheardthePopulzai,WheresureasTimeandswiftasDeaththetirelessfootfallbeat。
Noon’seyebeheldthatshameofflight,theshadowsfell,wefledWheresteadfastasthewheelingkitehefollowedinourtrain;
Theblackwolfwarredwherewehadwarred,thejackalmockedourdead,Andterrorbornoftwilight—tidemademadthelabouringbrain。
Igasped:——\"Akingdomwaitsmylord;herloveisbutherown。
Adayshallmar,adayshallcureforher,butwhatforthee?
Cutloosethegirl:hefollowsfast。Cutlooseandridealone!\"
ThenScindia’twixthisblisteredlips:——\"MyQueens’Queenshallshebe!
\"Ofallwhoatemybreadlastnight’twasshealonethatcameToseekherlovebetweenthespearsandfindhercrowntherein!
Oneshameismineto—day,whatneedtheweightofdoubleshame?
IfoncewereachtheDelhigate,thoughallbelost,Iwin!\"
Werode——thewhitemarefailed——hertrotastaggeringstumblegrew,——
Thecooking—smokeofevenroseandwelteredandhunglow;
AndstillweheardthePopulzaiandstillwestrainedanew,AndDelhitownwasverynear,butnearerwasthefoe。
Yea,DelhitownwasverynearwhenLalunwhispered:——\"Slay!
Lordofmylife,themaresinksfast——stabdeepandletmedie!\"
ButScindiawouldnot,andthemaidtorefreeandflungaway,AndturningasshefellweheardtheclatteringPopulzai。
ThenScindiacheckedthegaspingmarethatrockedandgroanedforbreath,Andwheeledtochargeandplungedtheknifeahand’s—breadthinherside——
Thehunterandthehuntedknowhowthatlastpauseisdeath——
Thebloodhadchilledaboutherheart,sherearedandfellanddied。
OurGodswerekind。Beforeheheardthemaiden’spiteousscreamAlogupontheDelhiroad,beneaththemarehelay——
Lostmistressandlostbattlepassedbeforehimlikeadream;
Thedarknessclosedabouthiseyes——IboremyKingaway。
THEBALLADOFBOHDATHONE
ThisistheballadofBohDaThone,ErstaPretendertoTheebaw’sthrone,WhoharriedthedistrictofAlalone:
HowhemetwithhisfateandtheV。P。P。*
AtthehandofHarendraMukerji,SeniorGomashta,G。B。T。
*ValuePayableParcelsPost:inwhichtheGovernmentcollectsthemoneyforthesender。
BohDaThonewasawarriorbold:
HisswordandhisSniderwerebossedwithgold,AndthePeacockBannerhishenchmenboreWasstiffwithbullion,butstifferwithgore。
HeshotatthestrongandheslashedattheweakFromtheSalweenscrubtotheChindwinteak:
Hecrucifiednoble,hesacrificedmean,Hefilledoldladieswithkerosene:
Whileoverthewaterthepaperscried,\"Thepatriotfightsforhiscountryside!\"
ButlittletheycaredfortheNativePress,ThewornwhitesoldiersinKhakidress,Whotrampedthroughthejungleandcampedinthebyre,Whodiedintheswampandweretombedinthemire,Whogaveuptheirlives,attheQueen’sCommand,ForthePrideoftheirRaceandthePeaceoftheLand。
Now,firstofthefoemenofBohDaThoneWasCaptainO’Neilofthe\"BlackTyrone\",AndhiswasaCompany,seventystrong,WhohustledthatdissoluteChiefalong。
TherewereladsfromGalwayandLouthandMeathWhowenttotheirdeathwithajokeintheirteeth,Andworshippedwithfluency,fervour,andzealThemudontheboot—heelsof\"Crook\"O’Neil。
Buteverablightontheirlabourslay,Andevertheirquarrywouldvanishaway,Tillthesun—driedboysoftheBlackTyroneTookabrotherlyinterestinBohDaThone:
And,sooth,ifpursuitinpossessionends,TheBohandhistrackerswerebestoffriends。
Thewordofascout——amarchbynight——
Arushthroughthemist——ascatteringfight——
Avolleyfromcover——acorpseintheclearing——
Theglimpseofaloin—clothandheavyjadeearring——
Theflareofavillage——thetallyofslain——
And……theBohwasabroad\"ontheraid\"again!
Theycursedtheirluck,astheIrishwill,Theygavehimcreditforcunningandskill,Theyburiedtheirdead,theyboltedtheirbeef,AndstartedanewonthetrackofthethiefTill,inplaceofthe\"KalendsofGreece\",mensaid,\"WhenCrookandhisdarlingscomebackwiththehead。\"
TheyhadhuntedtheBohfromthehillstotheplain——
Hedoubledandbrokeforthehillsagain:
Theyhadcrippledhispowerforrapineandraid,Theyhadroutedhimoutofhispetstockade,Andatlast,theycame,whentheDayStartired,Toacampdeserted——avillagefired。
AblackcrossblisteredtheMorning—gold,Andthebodyuponitwasstarkandcold。
Thewindofthedawnwentmerrilypast,Thehighgrassbowedherplumestotheblast。
Andoutofthegrass,onasudden,brokeAspirtleoffire,awhorlofsmoke——
AndCaptainO’NeiloftheBlackTyroneWasblessedwithaslugintheulnar—bone——
ThegiftofhisenemyBohDaThone。
(Nowaslugthatishammeredfromtelegraph—wireIsathorninthefleshandaranklingfire。)……
Theshot—woundfestered——asshot—woundsmayInasteamingbarrackatMandalay。
Theleftarmthrobbed,andtheCaptainswore,\"I’dliketobeaftertheBohoncemore!\"
Thefeverheldhim——theCaptainsaid,\"I’dgiveahundredtolookathishead!\"
TheHospitalpunkahscreakedandwhirred,ButBabuHarendra(Gomashta)heard。
Hethoughtofthecane—brake,greenanddank,ThatgirdledhishomebytheDaccatank。
HethoughtofhiswifeandhisHighSchoolson,Hethought——butabandonedthethought——ofagun。
HissleepwasbrokenbyvisionsdreadOfashiningBohwithasilverhead。
Hekepthiscounselandwenthisway,Andswindledthecartmenofhalftheirpay……
Andthemonthswenton,astheworstmustdo,AndtheBohreturnedtotheraidanew。
ButtheCaptainhadquittedthelong—drawnstrife,AndinfarSimooriehadtakenawife。
Andshewasadamselofdelicatemould,Withhairlikethesunshineandheartofgold,AndlittlesheknewthearmsthatembracedHadclovenamanfromthebrowtothewaist:
AndlittlesheknewthatthelovinglipsHadorderedaquiveringlife’seclipse,AndtheeyethatlitatherlightestbreathHadglaredunawedintheGatesofDeath。
(Forthesebemattersamanwouldhide,Asageneralrule,fromaninnocentBride。)
AndlittletheCaptainthoughtofthepast,And,ofallmen,BabuHarendralast……
Butslow,inthesludgeoftheKathunroad,TheGovernmentBullockTraintoteditsload。
Specklessandspotlessandshiningwith~ghee~,IntherearmostcartsattheBabu—jee。
AndeveraphantombeforehimfledOfascowlingBohwithasilverhead。
Thenthelead—cartstuck,thoughthecooliesslaved,Andthecartmenfloggedandtheescortraved;
Andoutofthejungle,withyellsandsqueals,PrancedBohDaThone,andhisgangathisheels!
ThenbelchingblunderbussansweredbackTheSnider’ssnarlandthecarbine’scrack,AndtheblitherevolverbegantosingTothebladethattwangedonthelocking—ring,Andthebrownfleshbluedwherethebay’netkissed,Asthesteelshotbackwithawrenchandatwist,AndthegreatwhitebullockswithonyxeyesWatchedthesoulsofthedeadarise,AndoverthesmokeofthefusilladeThePeacockBannerstaggeredandswayed。
Oh,gayestofscrimmagesmanmayseeIsawell—workedrushontheG。B。T。!
TheBabushookatthehorriblesight,Andgirdedhisponderousloinsforflight,ButFatehadordainedthattheBohshouldstartOnalone—handraidoftherearmostcart,Andoutofthatcart,withabellowofwoe,TheBabufell——flatonthetopoftheBoh!
ForyearshadHarendraservedtheState,Tothegrowthofhispurseandthegirthofhis~p]^et~。
Thereweretwentystone,asthetally—manknows,OnthebroadofthechestofthisbestofBohs。
AndtwentystonefromaheightdischargedArebadforaBohwithaspleenenlarged。
Oh,shortwasthestruggle——severewastheshock——
Hedroppedlikeabullock——helaylikeablock;
AndtheBabuabovehim,convulsedwithfear,Heardthelabouringlife—breathhissedoutinhisear。
AndthusinafashionundignifiedTheprincelypestoftheChindwindied……
TurnnowtoSimooriewhere,lappedinhisease,TheCaptainispettingtheBrideonhisknees,Wherethe~whit~ofthebullet,thewoundedman’sscreamAremixedasthemistofsomedevilishdream——
Forgotten,forgottenthesweatoftheshamblesWherethehill—daisybloomsandthegraymonkeygambols,Fromthesword—beltsetfreeandreleasedfromthesteel,ThePeaceoftheLordiswithCaptainO’Neil……
UpthehilltoSimoorie——mostpatientofdrudges——
Thebagsonhisshoulder,themail—runnertrudges。
\"ForCaptainO’Neil,~Sahib~。OnehundredandtenRupeestocollectondelivery。\"
Then(Theirbreakfastwasstoppedwhilethescrew—jackandhammerTorewaxcloth,splitteak—wood,andchippedoutthedammer;)
Open—eyed,open—mouthed,onthenapery’ssnow,Withacrashandathud,rolled——theHeadoftheBoh!
Andgummedtothescalpwasaletterwhichran:——
\"INFIELDINGFORCESERVICE。
~Encampment~,10thJan。
\"DearSir,——Ihavehonourtosend,~asyousaid~,Forfinalapproval(seeunder)Boh’sHead;
\"Wastookbymyselfinmostbloodyaffair。
ByHighEducationbroughtpressuretobear。
\"NowviolateLiberty,timebeingbad,TomailV。P。P。(rupeeshundred)Pleaseadd\"WhateverYourHonourcanpass。PriceofBloodMuchcheapatonehundred,andchildrenwantfood;
\"SotrustingYourHonourwillsomewhatretainTrueloveandaffectionforGovt。BullockTrain,\"Andshowawfulkindnesstosatisfyme,Iam,GracefulMaster,YourH。MUKERJI。\"……
Astherabbitisdrawntotherattlesnake’spower,Asthesmoker’seyefillsattheopiumhour,Asahorsereachesuptothemangerabove,Asthewaitingearyearnsforthewhisperoflove,FromthearmsoftheBride,iron—visagedandslow,TheCaptainbentdowntotheHeadoftheBoh。
Ande’enashelookedontheThingwhereItlay’Twixtthewinkingnewspoonsandthenapkins’array,Thefreedmindfledbacktothelong—agodays——
Thehand—to—handscuffle——thesmokeandtheblaze——
Theforcedmarchatnightandthequickrushatdawn——
Thebanjoattwilight,theburialeremorn——
Thestenchofthemarshes——theraw,piercingsmellWhentheoverhandstabbing—cutsilencedtheyell——
TheoathsofhisIrishthatsurgedwhentheystoodWheretheblackcrosseshungo’ertheKuttamowflood。
AsaderelictshipdriftsawaywiththetideTheCaptainwentoutonthePastfromhisBride,Back,back,throughthespringstothechilloftheyear,WhenhehuntedtheBohfromMaloontoTsaleer。
Astheshapeofacorpsedimmersupthroughdeepwater,Inhiseyelitthepassionlesspassionofslaughter,AndmenwhohadfoughtwithO’NeilforthelifeHadgazedonhisfacewithlessdreadthanhiswife。
Forshewhohadheldhimsolongcouldnotholdhim——
Thoughafour—monthEternityshouldhavecontrolledhim——
ButwatchedthetwinTerror——theheadturnedtohead——
Thescowling,scarredBlack,andtheflushedsavageRed——
ThespiritthatchangedfromherknowingandflewtoSomegrimhiddenPastshehadneveraclueto。
ButItknewasItgrinned,forhetoucheditunfearing,Andmutteredaloud,\"Soyoukeptthatjadeearring!\"
Thennodded,andkindly,asfriendnodstofriend,\"Oldman,youfoughtwell,butyoulostintheend。\"……
Thevisionsdeparted,andShamefollowedPassion:——
\"HetookwhatIsaidinthishorriblefashion,\"~I’ll~writetoHarendra!\"WithlanguageunsaintedTheCaptaincamebacktotheBride……whohadfainted……
Andthisisafiction?No。GotoSimoorieAndlookattheirbaby,atwelve—montholdHouri,Apertlittle,Irish—eyedKathleenMavournin——
She’salwaysaboutontheMallofamornin’——
Andyou’llsee,ifherrightshoulder—strapisdisplaced,This:~Gules~upon~argent~,aBoh’sHead,~erased!~
THELAMENTOFTHEBORDERCATTLETHIEF
OwoeismeforthemerrylifeIledbeyondtheBar,AndatreblewoeformywinsomewifeThatweepsatShalimar。
Theyhavetakenawaymylongjezail,Myshieldandsabrefine,AndheavedmeintotheCentraljailForliftingofthekine。
Thesteermaylowwithinthebyre,TheJatmaytendhisgrain,Butthere’llbeneitherlootnorfireTillIcomebackagain。
AndGodhavemercyontheJatWhenoncemyfettersfall,AndHeavendefendthefarmer’shutWhenIamloosedfromthrall。
It’swoetobendthestubbornbackAbovethegrinchingquern,It’swoetoheartheleg—barclackAndjinglewhenIturn!
Butforthesorrowandtheshame,Thebrandonmeandmine,I’llpayyoubackinleapingflameAndlossofthebutcheredkine。
ForeverycowIsparedbeforeIncharitysetfree,IfImayreachmyholdoncemoreI’llreiveanhonestthree。
ForeverytimeIraisedthelowThatscaredthedustyplain,Byswordandcord,bytorchandtowI’lllightthelandwithtwain!
Ridehard,ridehardtoAbazai,Young~Sahib~withtheyellowhair——
Lieclose,liecloseaskhuttuckslie,FatherdsbelowBonair!
TheoneI’llshootattwilight—tide,AtdawnI’lldrivetheother;
Theblackshallmournforhoofandhide,Thewhitemanforhisbrother。
’Tiswar,redwar,I’llgiveyouthen,Wartillmysinewsfail;
Forthewrongyouhavedonetoachiefofmen,AndathiefoftheZukkaKheyl。
AndifIfalltoyourhandafreshIgiveyouleaveforthesin,Thatyoucrammythroatwiththefoulpig’sflesh,Andswingmeintheskin!
THERHYMEOFTHETHREECAPTAINS
ThisballadappearstorefertooneoftheexploitsofthenotoriousPaulJones,theAmericanpirate。Itisfoundedonfact……Atthecloseofawinterday,Theiranchorsdown,byLondontown,theThreeGreatCaptainslay;
AndonewasAdmiraloftheNorthfromSolwayFirthtoSkye,AndonewasLordoftheWessexcoastandallthelandsthereby,AndonewasMasteroftheThamesfromLimehousetoBlackwall,AndhewasCaptainoftheFleet——thebravestofthemall。
Theirgoodgunsguardedtheirgreatgraysidesthatwerethirtyfootinthesheer,Whentherecameacertaintrading—brigwithnewsofaprivateer。
HerriggingwasroughwiththeclotteddriftthatdrivesinaNorthernbreeze,HersideswerecloggedwiththelazyweedthatspawnsintheEasternseas。
Lightsherodeintherudetide—rip,toleftandrightsherolled,Andtheskippersatonthescuttle—buttandstaredatanemptyhold。
\"Iha’paidPortduesforyourLaw,\"quothhe,\"andwhereistheLawyeboastIfIsailunscathedfromaheathenporttoberobbedonaChristiancoast?
YehavesmokedthehivesoftheLaccadivesasweburntheliceinabunk,WetacknotnowtoaGallangproworaplungingPei—hojunk;
IhadnofearbuttheseaswereclearasfarasasailmightfareTillImetwithalime—washedYankeebrigthatrodeoffFinisterre。
Therewerecanvasblindstohisbow—gunportstoscreentheweighthebore,AndthesignalsranforamerchantmanfromSandyHooktotheNore。
HewouldnotflytheRovers’flag——thebloodyortheblack,ButnowhefloatedtheGridironandnowheflauntedtheJack。
HespokeoftheLawashecrimpedmycrew——hesworeitwasonlyaloan;
ButwhenIwouldaskformyownagain,hesworeitwasnoneofmyown。
HehastakenmylittleparrakeetsthatnestbeneaththeLine,Hehasstrippedmyrailsoftheshaddock—frailsandthegreenunripenedpine;
HehastakenmybaleofdammerandspiceIwonbeyondtheseas,Hehastakenmygrinningheathengods——andwhatshouldhewanto’these?
Myforemastwouldnotmendhisboom,mydeckhousepatchhisboats;
Hehaswhittledthetwo,thisYankYahoo,topeddleforshoe—pegoats。
Icouldnotfightforthefailinglightandaroughbeam—seabeside,ButIhulledhimonceforaclumsycrimpandtwicebecausehelied。
HadIhadguns(asIhadgoods)toworkmyChristianharm,Ihadrunhimupfromhisquarter—decktotradewithhisownyard—arm;
Ihadnailedhisearstomycapstan—head,andrippedthemoffwithasaw,Andsousedtheminthebilgewater,andservedthemtohimraw;
Ihadflunghimblindinarudderlessboattorotintherockingdark,Ihadtowedhimaftofhisowncraft,abaitforhisbrothershark;
Ihadlappedhimroundwithcocoahusk,anddrenchedhimwiththeoil,Andlashedhimfasttohisownmasttoblazeabovemyspoil;
Ihadstrippedhishideformyhammock—side,andtasselledhisbeardi’themesh,Andspittedhiscrewonthelivebamboothatgrowsthroughthegangrenedflesh;
Ihadhovehimdownbythemangrovesbrown,wherethemud—reefsucksanddraws,Mooredbytheheeltohisownkeeltowaitfortheland—crab’sclaws!
Heislazarwithinandlimewithout,yecannosehimfarenow,Forhecarriesthetaintofamuskyship——thereekoftheslaver’sdhow!\"
Theskipperlookedatthetieringgunsandthebulwarkstallandcold,AndtheCaptainsThreefullcourteouslypeereddownattheguttedhold,AndtheCaptainsThreecalledcourteouslyfromdecktoscuttle—butt:——
\"GoodSir,weha’dealtwiththatmerchantmanoreveryourteethwerecut。
Yourwordsbewordsofalawlessrace,andtheLawitstandeththus:
HecomesofaracethathaveneveraLaw,andheneverhasboardedus。
Weha’soldhimcanvasandropeandspar——weknowthathispriceisfair,AndweknowthatheweepsforthelackofaLawasheridesoffFinisterre。
Andsinceheisdamnedforagallows—thiefbyyouandbetterthanyou,WeholditmeetthattheEnglishfleetshouldknowthatweholdhimtrue。\"
Theskippercalledtothetalltaffrail:——\"Andwhatisthattome?
DideveryouhearofaYankeebrigthatrifledaSeventy—three?
DoIloomsolargefromyourquarter—deckthatIliftlikeashipo’theLine?
Hehaslearnedtorunfromashottedgunandharrysuchcraftasmine。
ThereisneveraLawontheCocosKeystoholdawhitemanin,Butwedonotstealtheniggers’meal,forthatisanigger’ssin。
MusthehavehisLawasaquidtochaw,orlaidinbrassonhiswheel?
Doeshestealwithtearswhenhebuccaneers?
’ForeGad,then,whydoeshesteal?\"
Theskipperbitonadeep—seaword,andtheworditwasnotsweet,ForhecouldseetheCaptainsThreehadsignalledtotheFleet。
Butthreeandtwo,inwhiteandblue,thewhimperingflagsbegan:——
\"Wehaveheardataleofa——foreignsail,butheisamerchantman。\"
TheskipperpeeredbeneathhispalmandsworebytheGreatHornSpoon:——
\"’ForeGad,theChaplainoftheFleetwouldblessmypicaroon!\"
Bytwoandthreetheflagsblewfreetolashthelaughingair:——
\"Wehavesoldoursparstothemerchantman——weknowthathispriceisfair。\"
TheskipperwinkedhisWesterneye,andsworebyaChinastorm:——
\"Theyha’riggedhimaJoseph’sjury—coattokeephishonourwarm。\"
Thehalliardstwangedagainstthetops,thebuntingbelliedbroad,Theskipperspatintheemptyholdandmournedforawastedcord。
Masthead——masthead,thesignalspedbythelineo’theBritishcraft;
TheskippercalledtohisLascarcrew,andputheraboutandlaughed:——
\"It’smainsailhaul,mybullyboysall——we’llouttotheseasagain——
Eretheysetustopainttheirpiratesaint,orscrubathisgrapnel—chain。
It’sfore—sheetfree,withherheadtothesea,andtheswingoftheunboughtbrine——
We’llmakenosportinanEnglishcourttillwecomeasashipo’theLine:
Tillwecomeasashipo’theLine,mylads,ofthirtyfootinthesheer,Liftingagainfromtheoutermainwithnewsofaprivateer;
Flyinghispluckatourmizzen—truckforweftofAdmiralty,Heavinghisheadforourdipsey—leadinsignthatwekeepthesea。
Thenfore—sheethomeassheliftstothefoam——westandontheoutwardtack,Wearepaidinthecoinofthewhiteman’strade——
thebezantishard,ay,andblack。
Thefrigate—birdshallcarrymywordtotheKlingandtheOrang—LautHowamanmaysailfromaheathencoasttoberobbedinaChristianport;
HowamanmayberobbedinChristianportwhileThreeGreatCaptainsthereShalldiptheirflagtoaslaver’srag——toshowthathistradeisfair!\"
THEBALLADOFTHE\"CLAMPHERDOWN\"
Itwasourwar—ship~Clampherdown~
WouldsweeptheChannelclean,WhereforeshekeptherhatchescloseWhenthemerryChannelchopsarose,Tosavethebleachedmarine。