Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/720

 702 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

THE ONLY SON

CHE dropped the bar, she shot the bolt, she fed the fire anew,

For she heard a whimper under the sill and a great grey paw came through.

The fresh flame comforted the hut and shone on the roof- beam,

And the Only Son lay down again and dreamed that he dreamed a dream.

The last ash fell from the withered log with the click of a fall- ing spark,

And the Only Son woke up again, and called across the dark:

"Now was I born of womankind and laid in a mother's breast?

For I have dreamed of a shaggy hide whereon I went to rest.

And was I born of womankind and laid on a father's arm ?

For I have dreamed of clashing teeth that guarded me from harm.

And was I born an Only Son and did I play alone?

For I have dreamed of comrades twain that bit me to the bone.

And did I break the barley-cake and steep it in the tyre?

For I have dreamed of a youngling kid new-riven from the byre.

For I have dreamed of a midnight sky and a midnight call to blood

And red-mouthed shadows racing by, that thrust me from my food.

'Tis an hour yet and an hour yet to the rising of the moon,

But I can see the black roof-tree as plain as it were noon.

'Tis a league and a league to the Lena Falls where the troop- ing blackbuck go;

But I can hear the little fawn that bleats behind the doe.