Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/589

 "I hear the summer storm outblown—the drip of the grateful wheat.

I hear the hard trail telephone a far-off horse's feet.

I hear the horns of Autumn blow to the wild-fowl overhead;

And I hear the hush before the snow. And what is that to dread?"

"Take heed what spell the lightning weaves—what charm the echoes shape—

Or, bound among a million sheaves, your soul shall not escape.

Bar home the door of summer nights lest those high planets drown

The memory of near delights in all the longed-for town."

"What need have I to long or fear? Now, friendly, I behold

My faithful seasons robe the year in silver and in gold.

Now I possess and am possessed of the land where I would be,

And the curve of half Earth's generous breast shall soothe and ravish me!"





be the English and all their ways and works.

Cursed be the Infidels, Hereticks, and Turks!"

"Amen," quo' Jobson, "but where I used to lie

Was neither Candle, Bell nor Book to curse my brethren by:

"But a palm-tree in full bearing, bowing down, bowing down,

To a surf that drove unsparing at the brown, walled town—

Conches in a temple, oil-lamps in a dome—

And a low moon out of Africa said: 'This way home!'"

