Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/679

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 661

Low among the alders lie their derelict foundations,

The beams wherein they trusted and the plinths whereon they

built

My rulers and their treasure and their unborn populations, Dead, destroyed, aborted, and defiled with mud and silt!

The Daughters of the Palace whom they cherished in my

Cities,

My silver-tongued Princesses, and the promise of their May Their bridegrooms of the June-tide all have perished in my

Cities, With the harsh envenomed virgins that can neither love nor

play.

I was Lord of Cities I will build anew my Cities, Seven, set on rocks, above the wrath of any flood. Nor will I rest from search till I have filled anew my Cities With peoples undefeated of the dark, enduring blood.

To the sound of trumpets shall their seed restore my Cities Wealthy and well-weaponed, that once more may I behold All the world go softly when it walks before my Cities, And the horses and the chariots fleeing from them as of old !

THE RETURN OF THE CHILDREN

the harps nor the crowns amused, nor the

cherubs' dove-winged races Holding hands forlornly the Children wandered beneath the

Dome, Plucking the splendid robes of the passers by, and with pitiful

faces Begging what Princes and Powers refused: "Ah, please

will you let us go home?"