One moment bid the horses wait, <br /> Since tiffin is not laid till three, <br />Below the upward path and straight <br /> You climbed a year ago with me. <br />Love came upon us suddenly <br /> And loosed -- an idle hour to kill -- <br />A headless, armless armory <br /> That smote us both on Jakko Hill. <br /> <br />Ah Heaven! we would wait and wait <br /> Through Time and to Eternity! <br />Ah Heaven! we could conquer Fate <br /> With more than Godlike constancy <br />I cut the date upon a tree -- <br /> Here stand the clumsy figures still: <br />"10-7-85, A.D." <br /> Damp with the mist of Jakko Hill. <br /> <br />What came of high resolve and great, <br /> And until Death fidelity! <br />Whose horse is waiting at your gate? <br /> Whose 'rickshaw-wheels ride over me? <br />No Saint's, I swear; and -- let me see <br /> To-night what names your programme fill -- <br />We drift asunder merrily, <br /> As drifts the mist on Jakko Hill. <br /> <br /> L'ENVOI. <br />Princess, behold our ancient state <br /> Has clean departed; and we see <br />'Twas Idleness we took for Fate <br /> That bound light bonds on you and me. <br />Amen! Here ends the comedy <br /> Where it began in all good will; <br />Since Love and Leave together flee <br /> As driven mist on Jakko Hill!<br /><br />Rudyard Kipling<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-ballade-of-jakko-hill/
