Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/452

True Thomas played upon his harp,
The fairy harp that couldna lee,
And the first least word the proud King heard,
It harpit the salt tear out o' his e'e.

"Oh, I see the love that I lost long syne,
"I touch the hope that I may not see,
"And all that I did of hidden shame,
"Like little snakes they hiss at me.

"The sun is lost at noon at noon!
"The dread o' doom has grippit me.
"True Thomas, hide me under your cloak,
"God wot, I'm little fit to dee!"

'Twas bent beneath and blue above—
'Twas open field and running flood—
Where, hot on heath and dyke and wall,
The high sun warmed the adder s brood.

"Lie down, lie down," True Thomas said.
"The God shall judge when all is done,
"But I will bring you a better word
"And lift the cloud that I laid on."

True Thomas played upon his harp,
That birled and brattled to his hand,
And the next least word True Thomas made,
It garred the King take horse and brand.

"Oh, I hear the tread o' the fighting-men,
"I see the sun on splent and spear.
"I mark the arrow outen the fern
"That flies so low and sings so clear!