Hosted by Dailymotion. For legal issues report at the Copyright Center, report us on DMC, or use the Instant Removal tool.
Rudyard Kipling - Hadramauti
18 Views • Nov 07, 2014
Description
What are his measures and balances? Which is his season
For laughter, forbearance or bloodshed, and what devils move him
When he arises to smite us? I do not love him.
He invites the derision of strangers—he enters all places.
Booted, bareheaded he enters. With shouts and embraces
He asks of us news of the household whom we reckon nameless.
Certainly Allah created him forty-fold shameless!
So it is not in the Desert. One came to me weeping—
The Avenger of Blood on his track—I took him in keeping.
Demanding not whom he had slain, I refreshed him, I fed him
As he were even a brother. But Eblis had bred him.
He was the son of an ape, ill at ease in his clothing.
He talked with his head, hands and feet. I endured him with loathing.
Whatever his spirit conceived his countenance showed it
As a frog shows in a mud-puddle. Yet I abode it!
I fingered my beard and was dumb, in silence confronting him.
His soul was too shallow for silence, e'en with Death hunting him.
I said: "'Tis his weariness speaks," but, when he had rested,
He chirped in my face like some sparrow, and, presently, jested!
Wherefore slew I that stranger? He brought me dishonour.
I saddled my mare, Bijli, I set him upon her.
I gave him rice and goat's flesh. He bared me to laughter.
When he was gone from my tent, swift I followed after,
Taking my sword in my hand. The hot wine had filled him.
Under the stars he mocked me—therefore I killed him!
Rudyard Kipling
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hadramauti/
Keywords & Tags
More from User
Laxmy Alvarado - Sunlight
PoemHunter.com
Laxmy Alvarado - Sunlight
PoemHunter.com
Fatima Alzhara Rafa - Wholeness
PoemHunter.com
Fatima Alzhara Rafa - Wholeness
PoemHunter.com
Kaziah K - Eight Months Later
PoemHunter.com
Kaziah K - Eight Months Later
PoemHunter.com
Related Videos
Documentary about Rudyard Kipling and Bateman's House in Sussex/Michael Jayston Reading Kipling Poems
Victoria Station
If - Rudyard Kipling
Shehrazad
Rudyard Kipling - Bill 'Awkins
PoemHunter.com
Rudyard Kipling - To Motorists
PoemHunter.com
Rudyard Kipling - The Totem
PoemHunter.com
Rudyard Kipling - A Carol
PoemHunter.com