| The Brothers |
| |
| Beneath Socotra, and before |
| The mariner makes the Libyan shore, |
| Or him the Doubtful Cape beguiles, |
| Black in the Night two dreadful Isles. |
| By Allah chain’d to Ocean’s bed, |
| Each shows above an awful head, |
| And front to front, envisaged, frown |
| To frown retorts—by loud renown |
| The Brothers. But no love between: |
| Tho’ bound, they nurse a mutual spleen; |
| And, when the thundering Waves engage |
| In battle, vent immortal rage. |
| |
| DarzÉ: | ‘Ho! Thro’ the Midnight learn my hate. |
| When God releases, then thy fate.’ |
| |
| SamhÉ: | ‘When God unbinds thy fetter’d feet, |
| For mercy him, not me, entreat.’ |
| |
| DarzÉ: | ‘Dost think, because thy head is high, |
| That thou art more divine than I?’ |
| |
| SamhÉ: | ‘Because thy looks are earthward given |
| Thou hatest one who looks to Heaven.’ |
| |
| DarzÉ: | ‘Because thou gazest at the Sun |
| Think’st thou thou art the nobler one?’ |
| |
| SamhÉ: | ‘For them who with the Stars converse |
| There is no better and no worse.’ |
| |
| DarzÉ: | ‘So! hold thy old philosophy! |
| Truth and the World enough for me. |
| For humble Truth was born on Earth, |
| But Lies, forsooth, have better birth!’ |
| |
| SamhÉ: | ‘I watch the white Stars rise and fall; |
| I hear the vanish’d Eagles call; |
| For me the World is but a Sod; |
| I strive to see the eyes of God.’ |
| |
| 1888. |
