KING Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport,Īnd one day, as his lions fought, sat looking on the court. I sometimes see of ye an actual pair Go by! linked fin by fin! most odiously. How canst exist? How bear thyself, thou dryĪnd dreary sloth? What particle canst share O breather of unbreathable, sword-sharp air, Long-useless-finned, haired, upright, unwet, slow! Prong after prong, disgracer of all grace, With a split body and most ridiculous pace, With the first sight of thee didst make our raceįor ever stare! O flat and shocking face, In ceaseless wash? Still naught but gapes and bites,Īnd drinks and stares, diversified with boggles? How pass your Sundays? Are ye still but joggles How do ye vary your vile days and nights? What is't ye do? What life lead? eh, dull goggles? O scaly, slippery, wet, swift, staring wights, Some round, some flat, some long, all devilry, YOU strange, astonished-looking, angle-faced,ĭreary-mouthed, gaping wretches of the sea,Ĭold-blooded, though with red your blood be graced,Īnd mute, though dwellers in the roaring waste Īnd you, all shapes beside, that fishy be. It came again with a great wakening light,Īnd showed the names whom love of God had blessed,Īnd, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest! Write me as one who loves his fellow men." "Nay, not so,"īut cheerily still and said, "I pray thee, then, "What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,Īnswered, "The names of those who love the Lord." Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, Say that health and wealth have miss'd me,Īwoke one night from a deep dream of peace,Īnd saw, within the moonlight in his room,
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