Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/280

 EVARRA AND HIS GODS

Because the city gave him of her gold,

Because the caravans brought turquoises,

Because his life was sheltered by the King,

So that no man should maim him, none should steal,

Or break his rest with babble in the streets

When he was weary after toil, he made

An image of his God in gold and pearl,

With turquoise diadem and human eyes,

A Wonder in the sunshine, known afar

And worshipped by the King; but, drunk with pride,

Because the city bowed to him for God,

He wrote above the shrine: "Thus Gods are made,

"And whoso makes them otherwise shall die."

And all the city praised him.... Then he died.