Page:The land of many names (1926).pdf/101



All among black stones we lay,

Above us a sign in black array.

This is the captain,

Standing on guard upright,

And challenging Fate to come and fight.



Elan Chol stood on guard alone,

And the breath of a curse was over him blown.



Hurrah! we all were dead before

We died. And whether living or

Fallen or dying we might be,

Each the same gulf of gloom could see.

Death himself called us on parade,

Commander of our company.



Hurrah! whether dead or alive they be,

In eternal gloom they paraded, and he,

Death, commands our company.



On guard stands the blind man himself; with him

Our captain, our captain, a shadow grim,

Elan Chol with his hundred lads.

A hundred dead with their curse of doom

Went away to eternal gloom.



And is Elan Chol alive?



He is not dead.