Part 24 (2/2)

One moment past our bodies cast No shadow on the plain; Now clear and black they stride our track, And we run home again.

In morning hush, each rock and bush Stands hard, and high, and raw: Then give the Call: '_Good rest to all_ _That keep the Jungle Law!'_

Now horn and pelt our peoples melt In covert to abide; Now, crouched and still, to cave and hill Our Jungle Barons glide.

Now, stark and plain, Man's oxen strain, That draw the new-yoked plough; Now, stripped and dread, the dawn is red Above the lit _talao_.

Ho! Get to lair! The sun's aflare Behind the breathing gra.s.s: And creaking through the young bamboo The warning whispers pa.s.s.

By day made strange, the woods we range With blinking eyes we scan; While down the skies the wild duck cries: '_The Day--the Day to Man!_'

The dew is dried that drenched our hide, Or washed about our way; And where we drank, the puddled bank Is crisping into clay.

The traitor Dark gives up each mark Of stretched or hooded claw; Then hear the Call: '_Good rest to all That keep the Jungle Law!_'

BLUE ROSES

Roses red and roses white Plucked I for my love's delight.

She would none of all my posies-- Bade me gather her blue roses.

Half the world I wandered through, Seeking where such flowers grew; Half the world unto my quest Answered me with laugh and jest.

Home I came at wintertide, But my silly love had died, Seeking with her latest breath Roses from the arms of Death.

It may be beyond the grave She shall find what she would have.

Mine was but an idle quest-- Roses white and red are best.

A RIPPLE SONG

Once a ripple came to land In the golden sunset burning-- Lapped against a maiden's hand, By the ford returning.

_Dainty foot and gentle breast-- Here, across, be glad and rest.

'Maiden, wait,' the ripple saith; 'Wait awhile, for I am Death!'_

'Where my lover calls I go-- Shame it were to treat him coldly-- 'Twas a fish that circled so, Turning over boldly.'

_Dainty foot and tender heart, Wait the loaded ferry-cart.

'Wait, ah, wait!' the ripple saith; 'Maiden, wait, for I am Death!'_

'When my lover calls I haste-- Dame Disdain was never wedded!'

Ripple-ripple round her waist, Clear the current eddied.

_Foolish heart and faithful hand, Little feet that touched no land.

Far away the ripple sped, Ripple--ripple--running red!_

b.u.t.tERFLIES

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