Page:The Seven Seas (Kipling, 1896).djvu/34

12 CALCUTTA

Me the Sea-captain loved, the River built,

Wealth sought and Kings adventured life to hold.

Hail, England! I am Asia—Power on silt,

Death in my hands, but Gold!

MADRAS

Clive kissed me on the mouth and eyes and brow,

Wonderful kisses, so that I became

Crowned above Queens—a withered beldame now,

Brooding on ancient fame.

RANGOON

Hail, Mother! Do they call me rich in trade?

Little care I, but hear the shorn priest drone,

And watch my silk-clad lovers, man by maid,

Laugh 'neath my Shwe Dagon.

SINGAPORE

Hail, Mother! East and West must seek my aid

Ere the spent gear may dare the ports afar.

The second doorway of the wide world's trade

Is mine to loose or bar.