'Ye have robb'd，' said he， 'ye have slaughter'd and made an end，

　　Take your ill-got plunder¹， and bury the dead：

　　What will ye more of your guest and sometime friend？'

　　'Blood for our blood，' they said.

　　He laugh'd： 'If one may settle the score for five，

　　I am ready； but let the reckoning stand till day：

　　I have loved the sunlight as dearly as any alive.'

　　'You shall die at dawn，' said they.

　　He flung his empty revolver down the slope，

　　He climb'd alone to the Eastward² edge of the trees；

　　All night long in a dream untroubled of hope

　　He brooded， clasping his knees.

　　He did not hear the monotonous³ roar that fills

　　The ravine where the Yass？？n river sullenly⁴ flows；

　　He did not see the starlight on the Laspur hills，

　　Or the far Afghan snows.

　　He saw the April noon on his books aglow⁵，

　　The wistaria trailing in at the window wide；

　　He heard his father's voice from the terrace below

　　Calling him down to ride.

　　He saw the gray little church across the park，

　　The mounds⁶ that hid the loved and honour'd dead；

　　The Norman arch， the chancel softly dark，

　　The brasses⁷ black and red.

　　He saw the School Close， sunny and green，

　　The runner beside him， the stand by the parapet wall，

　　The distant tape， and the crowd roaring between，

　　His own name over all.

　　He saw the dark wainscot and timber'd roof，

　　The long tables， and the faces merry and keen；

　　The College Eight and their trainer dining aloof⁸，

　　The Dons on the da？？is serene⁹.

　　He watch'd the liner's stem ploughing the foam¹⁰，

　　He felt her trembling speed and the thrash of her screw.

　　He heard the passengers' voices talking of home，

　　He saw the flag she flew.

　　And now it was dawn. He rose strong on his feet，

　　And strode to his ruin'd camp below the wood；

　　He drank the breath of the morning cool and sweet：

　　His murderers round him stood.

　　Light on the Laspur hills was broadening fast，

　　The blood-red snow-peaks chill'd to a dazzling white；

　　He turn'd， and saw the golden circle at last，

　　Cut by the Eastern height.

　　'O glorious Life， Who dwellest in earth and sun，

　　I have lived， I praise and adore Thee.'

　　A sword swept.

　　Over the pass the voices one by one

　　Faded， and the hill slept.

上一篇：Ionicus 下一篇：Drake's Drum