Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/718

 700 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

THE LOVE SONG OF HAR DYAL

A LONE upon the housetops to the North

I turn and watch the lightning in the sky The glamour of thy footsteps in the North. Come back to me, Beloved, or I die.

Below my feet the still bazar is laid Far, far below the weary camels lie The camels and the captives of thy raid. Come back to me, Beloved, or I die I

My father's wife is old and harsh with years And drudge of all my father's house am I My bread is sorrow and my drink is tears. Come back to me, Beloved^ or I die !

A DEDICATION

(To Soldiers Three}

AND they were stronger hands than mine That digged the Ruby from the earth More cunning brains that made it worth The large desire of a king, And stouter hearts that through the brine Went down the perfect Pearl to bring.

Lo, I have wrought in common ciay Rude figures of a rough-hewn race, Since pearls strew not the market-place In this my town of banishment, Where with the shifting dust I play, And eat the bread of discontent.