Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/300

One watched beside the dreary mound that veiled the battered thing,
And him the King with laughter called the Herald of the King.

It was upon the second night, the night of Ramazan,
The watcher leaning earthward heard the message of Yar Khan.
From shattered breast through shrivelled lips broke forth the rattling breath,
"Creature of God, deliver me from agony of Death."

They sought the King among his girls, and risked their lives thereby:
"Protector of the Pitiful, give orders that he die!"

"Bid him endure until the day," a lagging answer came;
"The night is short, and he can pray and learn to bless my name."
Before the dawn three times he spoke, and on the day once more:
"Creature of God, deliver me, and bless the King therefor!"

They shot him at the morning prayer, to ease him of his pain,
And when he heard the matchlocks clink, he blessed the King again.

Which thing the singers made a song for all the world to sing,
So that the Outer Seas may know the mercy of the King.

⁠Abdhur Rahman, the Durani Chief, of him is the story told,
⁠He has opened his mouth to the North and the South, they have stuffed his mouth with gold.
⁠Ye know the truth of his tender ruth—and sweet his favours are:
⁠Ye have heard the song—How long? How long? from Balkh to Kandahar.