Songs from Books Part 6

Laughing, s.h.i.+v made answer, 'All have had their part, Even he, the little one, hidden 'neath thy heart.'

From her breast she plucked it, Parbati the thief, Saw the Least of Little Things gnawed a new-grown leaf!

Saw and feared and wondered, making prayer to s.h.i.+v, Who hath surely given meat to all that live.

_All things made he--s.h.i.+va the Preserver.

Mahadeo! Mahadeo! He made all,-- Thorn for the camel, fodder for the kine, And mother's heart for sleepy head, O little son of mine!_

THE FAIRIES' SIEGE

I have been given my charge to keep-- Well have I kept the same!

Playing with strife for the most of my life, But this is a different game.

_I_'ll not fight against swords unseen, Or spears that I cannot view-- Hand him the keys of the place on your knees-- 'Tis the Dreamer whose dreams come true!

Ask for his terms and accept them at once.

Quick, ere we anger him; go!

Never before have I flinched from the guns, But this is a different show.

_I_'ll not fight with the Herald of G.o.d (I know what his Master can do!) Open the gate, he must enter in state, 'Tis the Dreamer whose dreams come true!

I'd not give way for an Emperor, I'd hold my road for a King-- To the Triple Crown I would not bow down-- But this is a different thing.

_I_'ll not fight with the Powers of Air, Sentry, pa.s.s him through!

Drawbridge let fall, it's the Lord of us all, The Dreamer whose dreams come true!

A SONG TO MITHRAS

(Hymn of the 30th Legion: _circa_ A.D. 350.)

Mithras, G.o.d of the Morning, our trumpets waken the Wall!

'Rome is above the Nations, but Thou art over all!'

Now as the names are answered and the guards are marched away, Mithras, also a soldier, give us strength for the day!

Mithras, G.o.d of the Noontide, the heather swims in the heat.

Our helmets scorch our foreheads, our sandals burn our feet.

Now in the ungirt hour--now ere we blink and drowse, Mithras, also a soldier, keep us true to our vows!

Mithras, G.o.d of the Sunset, low on the Western main-- Thou descending immortal, immortal to rise again!

Now when the watch is ended, now when the wine is drawn, Mithras, also a soldier, keep us pure till the dawn!

Mithras, G.o.d of the Midnight, here where the great bull dies, Look on thy children in darkness. Oh take our sacrifice!

Many roads thou hast fas.h.i.+oned--all of them lead to the Light: Mithras, also a soldier, teach us to die aright!

THE NEW KNIGHTHOOD

Who gives him the Bath?

'I,' said the wet, Rank Jungle-sweat, 'I'll give him the Bath!'

Who'll sing the psalms?

'We,' said the Palms.

'Ere the hot wind becalms, We'll sing the psalms.'

Who lays on the sword?

'I,' said the Sun, 'Before he has done, I'll lay on the sword.'

Who fastens his belt?

'I,' said Short-Rations, 'I know all the fas.h.i.+ons Of tightening a belt!'

Who gives him his spur?

'I,' said his Chief, Exacting and brief, 'I'll give him the spur.'

Who'll shake his hand?

'I,' said the Fever, 'And I'm no deceiver, I'll shake his hand.'

Who brings him the wine?

'I,' said Quinine, 'It's a habit of mine.

'_I_'ll come with the wine.'

Who'll put him to proof?

'I,' said All Earth, 'Whatever he's worth, I'll put to the proof.'

Who'll choose him for Knight?

'I,' said his Mother, 'Before any other, My very own Knight.'

And after this fas.h.i.+on, adventure to seek, Was Sir Galahad made--as it might be last week!

OUTSONG IN THE JUNGLE

BALOO

FOR the sake of him who showed One wise Frog the Jungle-Road, Keep the Law the Man-Pack make For thy blind old Baloo's sake!

Clean or tainted, hot or stale, Hold it as it were the Trail, Through the day and through the night, Questing neither left nor right.

For the sake of him who loves Thee beyond all else that moves, When thy Pack would make thee pain, Say: 'Tabaqui sings again.'

When thy Pack would work thee ill, Say: 'Shere Khan is yet to kill.'

When the knife is drawn to slay, Keep the Law and go thy way.

(Root and honey, palm and spathe, Guard a cub from harm and scathe!) _Wood and Water, Wind and Tree, Jungle-Favour go with thee!_