Volume Ii Part 5 (1/2)

Gambetta's word on dull MacMahon: 'The cow that sees a pa.s.sing train': So spies she Russian, German, French.

VIII

She? no, her weakness: she unbraced Among those athletes fronting storms!

The muscles less of steel than paste, Why, they of nature feel distaste For flash, much more for push, of arms.

IX

The poet sings, and well know we, That 'iron draws men after it.'

But towering wealth may seem the tree Which bears the fruit INDEMNITY, And draw as fast as battle's fit,

X

If feeble be the hand on guard, Alas, alas! And nations are Still the mad forces, though the scarred.

Should they once deem our emblem Pard Wagger of tail for all save war; -

XI

Mechanically screwed to flail His flanks by Presses conjuring fear; - A money-bag with head and tail; - Too late may valour then avail!

As you beheld, my cannonier,

XII

When with the staff of Benedek, On the plateau of Koniggratz, You saw below that wedgeing speck; Foresaw proud Austria rammed to wreck, Where Chlum drove deep in smoky jets.

February 1887.

TO CHILDREN: FOR TYRANTS

I

Strike not thy dog with a stick!

I did it yesterday: Not to undo though I gained The Paradise: heavy it rained On Kobold's flanks, and he lay.

II

Little Bruno, our long-ear pup, From his hunt had come back to my heel.

I heard a sharp worrying sound, And Bruno foamed on the ground, With Koby as making a meal.

III

I did what I could not undo Were the gates of the Paradise shut Behind me: I deemed it was just.

I left Koby crouched in the dust, Some yards from the woodman's hut.

IV

He bewhimpered his welting, and I Scarce thought it enough for him: so, By degrees, through the upper box-grove, Within me an old story hove, Of a man and a dog: you shall know.