Page:Talbot Mundy - Eye of Zeitoon.djvu/106

 For dust-clouds that should prove at last Armenia awake—

A nation up and coming! I had labored for your sake,

I had hungered, I had suffered. Ye had well rewarded then

If ye had come, and hanged me just to prove that ye were men!

But all the pride was promises, the criticism jeers;

Ye had no heart for sacrifice, and I no time for tears.

I offered—nay, I gave! I squandered body and breath and soul,

I bared the need, I showed the way, I preached a goodly goal,

I urged you choose a leader, since your faith in me was dim,

I swore to serve the chief ye chose, and teach my lore to him,

So he should reap where I had sown. And yet ye bade me wait—

And waited till, awake at last, ye bid me lead too late!

And so, in place of ripe reward.

Your cactus crown! And I, who urged

"Get ready for the untoward"

Must drink the dregs of wrath I dirged!

Ye bid me set time's finger back!

And stage anew the opened fight!

I'll lead. But slime of Dead Sea wrack

Were sweeter on my lips this night!