Page:The Vow of the Peacock.pdf/310

Rh

Parted the clouds and stood radiant before them:— Each felt his destiny hung on that moment; Each from his hand took futurity's symbol— One took a sceptre, and one took a sword; But a little lute fell to the share of the youngest, And his Brothers turned from him and laughed him to scorn.

And the King said, "The earth shall be filled with my glory:" And he built him a temple—each porphyry column Was the work of a life; and he built him a city— A hundred gates opened the way to his palace, (Too few for the crowds that there knelt as his slaves), And the highest tower saw not the extent of the walls. The banks of the river were covered with gardens;