Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/113

 Many all day in dazzling river stood, To take the rich-ored driftings of the flood.

For them the Ceylon diver held his breath, And went all naked to the hungry shark; For them his ears gushed blood; for them in death The seal on the cold ice with piteous bark Lay full of darts; for them alone did seethe A thousand men in troubles wide and dark; Half-ignorant, they turn'd an easy wheel, That set sharp wracks at work, to pinch and peel.

The Sons of Martha

(Under this title the English poet has written a striking picture of the social chasm. He figures the world's toilers as the "Sons of Martha," who, because their mother "was rude to the Lord, her Guest," are condemned forever to unrequited toil. "It is their care in all the ages to take the buffet and cushion the shock." The poem goes on to tell of the ignorance and torment in which they live—while the Sons of Mary, who "have inherited that good part," live in ease upon their toil.)

"They sit at the Feet—and they hear the Word—they see how truly the promise runs. They have cast their burdens upon the Lord, and—the Lord He lays them on Martha's sons."

On the other hand the sons of Martha have to face reality.

"They do not preach that their God will rouse them an hour before the nuts work loose, They do not teach that His pity allows them to leave their work when they damn-well choose."

The entire poem may be found in the 1918 Collected Edition of Mr. Kipling's poems.