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I.
OF THE million or two, more or less,I rule and possess, One man, for some cause undefined, Was least to my mind.
II.
I struck him, he grovelled of course—For, what was his force? I pinned him to earth with my weight And persistence of hate: And he lay, would not moan, would not curse, As his lot might be worse.
III.
“Were the object less mean, would he standAt the swing of my hand! For obscurity helps him and blots The hole where he squats.” So, I set my five wits on the stretch To inveigle the wretch. All in vain! Gold and jewels I threw, Still he couched there perdue; I tempted his blood and his flesh, Hid in roses my mesh, Choicest cates and the flagon’s best spilth— Still he kept to his filth.
IV.
Had he kith now or kin, were accessTo his heart, did I press: Just a son or a mother to seize! No such booty as these. Were it simply a friend to pursue ’Mid my million or two, Who could pay me in person or pelf What he owes me himself! No: I could not but smile through my chafe— For the fellow lay safe As his mates do, the midge and the nit, —Through minuteness, to wit.
V.
Then a humour more great took its placeAt the thought of his face, The droop, the low cares of the mouth, The trouble uncouth ’Twixt the brows, all that air one is fain To put out of its pain. And, “no!” I admonished myself, “Is one mocked by an elf, Is one baffled by toad or by rat? The gravamen’s in that! How the lion, who crouches to suit His back to my foot, Would admire that I stand in debate! But the small turns the great If it vexes you,—that is the thing! Toad or rat vex the king? Though I waste half my realm to unearth Toad or rat, ’tis well worth!”
VI.
So, I soberly laid my last planTo extinguish the man. Round his creep-hole, with never a break Ran my fires for his sake; Over-head, did my thunder combine With my underground mine: Till I looked from my labour content To enjoy the event.
VII.
When sudden . . . how think ye, the end?Did I say “without friend”? Say rather, from marge to blue marge The whole sky grew his targe With the sun’s self for visible boss, While an Arm ran across Which the earth heaved beneath like a breast Where the wretch was safe prest! Do you see? Just my vengeance complete, The man sprang to his feet, Stood erect, caught at God’s skirts, and prayed! —So, I was afraid! |