 | Fand and Other Poems |  |
“Nay,” said Fand,
Well the gods know, they know full well
The difference in the deeds of men.”
“Ay, do they so?” I said: have I not heard
Wise druids say mankind was but a field
Of plants, wherein the gods their trials made,—
Plucking the rarest,—making thus new gods,
Enriching heaven, leaving the weeds to earth?”
“It may be so,” she answered, “or, perchance,
Lest men should grow too mighty; howbeit
With thee I wrangle not: Cuhoolin, hear!
From the land, where I would lead thee,
Have my birds, the golden-throated,
Brought for thee the dews of healing:
They shall pour them in thine ear: Hear!”
Then from a bird among the boughs unseen
Burst forth a long note, sweet,—sweet and clear:
Well the gods know, they know full well
The difference in the deeds of men.”
“Ay, do they so?” I said: have I not heard
Wise druids say mankind was but a field
Of plants, wherein the gods their trials made,—
Plucking the rarest,—making thus new gods,
Enriching heaven, leaving the weeds to earth?”
“It may be so,” she answered, “or, perchance,
Lest men should grow too mighty; howbeit
With thee I wrangle not: Cuhoolin, hear!
From the land, where I would lead thee,
Have my birds, the golden-throated,
Brought for thee the dews of healing:
They shall pour them in thine ear: Hear!”
Then from a bird among the boughs unseen
Burst forth a long note, sweet,—sweet and clear:
| Fand and Other Poems | |