The Works of Rudyard Kipling Part 6

Eyes of blue--the Simla Hills Silvered with the moonlight h.o.a.r; Pleading of the waltz that thrills, Dies and echoes round Benmore.

"Mabel," "Officers," "Goodbye,"

Glamour, wine, and witchery-- On my soul's sincerity, "Love like ours can never die!"

Maidens of your charity, Pity my most luckless state.

Four times Cupid's debtor I-- Bankrupt in quadruplicate.

Yet, despite this evil case, And a maiden showed me grace, Four-and-forty times would I Sing the Lovers' Litany: "Love like ours can never die!"

A BALLAD OF BURIAL

("Saint @Proxed's ever was the Church for peace")

If down here I chance to die, Solemnly I beg you take All that is left of "I"

To the Hills for old sake's sake, Pack me very thoroughly In the ice that used to slake Pegs I drank when I was dry-- This observe for old sake's sake.

To the railway station hie, There a single ticket take For Umballa--goods-train--I Shall not mind delay or shake.

I shall rest contentedly Spite of clamor coolies make; Thus in state and dignity Send me up for old sake's sake.

Next the sleepy Babu wake, Book a Kalka van "for four."

Few, I think, will care to make Journeys with me any more As they used to do of yore.

I shall need a "special" break-- Thing I never took before-- Get me one for old sake's sake.

After that--arrangements make.

No hotel will take me in, And a bullock's back would break 'Neath the teak and leaden skin Tonga ropes are frail and thin, Or, did I a back-seat take, In a tonga I might spin,-- Do your best for old sake's sake.

After that--your work is done.

Recollect a Padre must Mourn the dear departed one-- Throw the ashes and the dust.

Don't go down at once. I trust You will find excuse to "snake Three days' casual on the bust."

Get your fun for old sake's sake.

I could never stand the Plains.

Think of blazing June and May Think of those September rains Yearly till the Judgment Day!

I should never rest in peace, I should sweat and lie awake.

Rail me then, on my decease, To the Hills for old sake's sake.

DIVIDED DESTINIES

It was an artless Bandar, and he danced upon a pine, And much I wondered how he lived, and where the beast might dine, And many, many other things, till, o'er my morning smoke, I slept the sleep of idleness and dreamt that Bandar spoke.

He said: "O man of many clothes! Sad crawler on the Hills!

Observe, I know not Ranken's shop, nor Ranken's monthly bills; I take no heed to trousers or the coats that you call dress; Nor am I plagued with little cards for little drinks at Mess.

"I steal the bunnia's grain at morn, at noon and eventide, (For he is fat and I am spare), I roam the mountain side, I follow no man's carriage, and no, never in my life Have I flirted at Peliti's with another Bandar's wife.

"O man of futile fopperies--unnecessary wraps; I own no ponies in the hills, I drive no tall-wheeled traps; I buy me not twelve-b.u.t.ton gloves, 'short-sixes' eke, or rings, Nor do I waste at Hamilton's my wealth on 'pretty things.'

"I quarrel with my wife at home, we never fight abroad; But Mrs. B. has grasped the fact I am her only lord.

I never heard of fever--dumps nor debts depress my soul; And I pity and despise you!" Here he poached my breakfast-roll.

His hide was very mangy, and his face was very red, And ever and anon he scratched with energy his head.

His manners were not always nice, but how my spirit cried To be an artless Bandar loose upon the mountain side!

So I answered: "Gentle Bandar, an inscrutable Decree Makes thee a gleesome fleasome Thou, and me a wretched Me.

Go! Depart in peace, my brother, to thy home amid the pine; Yet forget not once a mortal wished to change his lot for thine."

THE MASQUE OF PLENTY

Argument.--The Indian Government being minded to discover the economic condition of their lands, sent a Committee to inquire into it; and saw that it was good.

Scene.--The wooded heights of Simla. The Incarnation of the Government of India in the raiment of the Angel of Plenty sings, to pianoforte accompaniment:--

"How sweet is the shepherd's sweet life!

From the dawn to the even he strays-- And his tongue shall be filled with praise.

(adagio dim.) Filled with praise!"

(largendo con sp.) Now this is the position, Go make an inquisition Into their real condition As swiftly as ye may.

(p) Ay, paint our swarthy billions The richest of vermillions Ere two well-led cotillions Have danced themselves away.

Turkish Patrol, as able and intelligent Investigators wind down the Himalayas:--

What is the state of the Nation? What is its occupation?

Hi! get along, get along, get along--lend us the information!

(dim.) Census the byle and the yabu--capture a first-cla.s.s Babu, Set him to file Gazetteers--Gazetteers...

(ff) What is the state of the Nation, etc., etc.

Interlude, from Nowhere in Particular, to stringed and Oriental instruments.

Our cattle reel beneath the yoke they bear-- The earth is iron and the skies are bra.s.s-- And faint with fervour of the flaming air The languid hours pa.s.s.