Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/90

72 XVIII "By all I am misunderstood!" if the Matron shall say, or the Maid:—

"Alas! I do not understand," my son, be thou nowise afraid.

In vain in the sight of the Bird is the net of the Fowler displayed.

XIX

My son, if I, Hafiz, thy father, take hold of thy knees in my pain,

Demanding thy name on stamped paper, one day or one hour—refrain.

Are the links of thy fetters so light that thou cravest another man's chain?



THE MOON OF OTHER DAYS

ENEATH the deep verandah's shade,

When bats begin to fly,

I sit me down and watch—alas!

Another evening die.

Blood-red behind the sere ferash

She rises through the haze.

Sainted Diana! can that be

The Moon of Other Days!

Ah! shade of little Kitty Smith,

Sweet Saint of Kensington!

Say, was it ever thus at Home

The Moon of August shone,

When arm in arm we wandered long

Through Putney's evening haze,

And Hammersmith was Heaven beneath

The Moon of Other Days?

