“Youmustworkthesumtoproveit。”clankedthecarelesstonga-bar。
“SimpleRuleofTwowillproveit。”litledbackthetonga-bar。
ItwasunderKhyraghautImuse“Supposethemaidbehaughty——
Thereareloversrich——androty——waitsomewealthyAvatar？
Answermonitoruntiring，’twixttheponiestwainperspiring！”
“Faintheartneverwonfairlady。”creakedthestrainingtonga-bar。
“CanItellyouereyouaskHer？”poundedslowthetonga-bar。
Last，theTaraDeviturningshowedthelightsofSimlaburning，Litmylittlelazyyearningtoafiercerflamebyfar。
AsbelowtheMallwejingled，throughmyveryheartittingled——
Didtheiteratedorderofthethreshingtonga-bar——
Truyyourluck——youcan’tdobetter！”twangedtheloosenedtongar-bar。
ANOLDSONG
Solongas’neaththeKalkahillsThetonga-hornshallring，SolongasdowntheSolondipThehard-heldponiesswing，SolongasTaraDeviseesThelightsofSimlatown，SolongasPleasurecallsusup，OrDutydriveseusdown，IfyoulovemeasIloveyouWhatpairsohappyaswetwo？
SolongasAcestaketheKing，Orbackerstakethebet，Solongasdebtleadsmentowed，Ormarriageleadstodebt，Solongaslittleluncheons，Love，Andscandalholdtheirvogue，WhilethereissportatAnnandaleOrwhiskyatJutogh，IfyoulovemeasIloveyouWhatknifecancutourloveintwo？
SolongasdowntherockingfloorTheravingpolkaspins，SolongasKitchenLancersspurThemaddenedviolins，SolongasthroughthewhirlingsmokeWeheartheoft-toldtale——
“TwelvehundredintheLotteries。”
AndWhatshernameforsale？
IfyoulovemeasIloveyouWe’llplaythegameandwinittoo。
SolongasLustorLucretemptStraightridersfromthecourse，SolongaswitheachdrinkwepourBlackbrewageofRemorse，SolongasthoseunloadedgunsWekeepbesidethebed，Blowoff，byobviousaccident，Theluckyowner’shead，IfyoulovemeasIloveyouWhatcanLifekillofDeathundo？
SolongasDeath’twixtdanceanddanceChillsbestandbravestblood，AnddropstherecklessriderdownTherotten，rain-soakedkhud，SolongasrumoursfromtheNorthMakelovingwivesafraid，SolongasBurmatakestheboyOrtyphoidkillsthemaid，IfyoulovemeasIloveyouWhatknifecancutourloveintwo？
ByallthatlightsourdailylifeOrworksourlifelongwoe，FromBoileaugungetoSimlaDownsAndthosegrimgladesbelow，Where，heedlessoftheflyinghoofAndclamouroverhead，Sleep，withthegreylangurforguardOurveryscornfulDead，IfyoulovemeasIloveyouAllEarthisservanttoustwo！
ByDocket，Billetdoux，andFile，ByMountain，Cliff，andFir，ByFanandSwordandOffice-box，ByCorset，Plume，andSpurByRiot，Revel，Waltz，andWar，ByWomen，Work，andBills，ByallthelifethatfizzesinTheeverlastingHills，IfyoulovemeasIloveyouWhatpairsohappyaswetwo？
IfItbepleasanttolookon，stalledinthepackedserai，DoesnottheYoungMantryItstemperandpaceerehebuy？
IfShebepleasanttolookon，whatdoestheYoungMansay？
“Lo！Sheispleasanttolookon，giveHertometo-day！”
Yea，thoughaKafirdie，tohimisremittedJehannumIfheborrowedinlifefromanativeatsixtypercentperanuum。
Blisterwenotforbursati？Sowhentheheartisvexed，Thepainofonemaiden’srefusalisdrownedinthepainofthenext。
Thetemperofchums，theloveofyourwife，andanewpiano’stune——
WhichofthethreewillyoutrustattheendofanIndianJune？
WhoaretherulersofInd——towhomshallwebowtheknee？
Makeyourpeacewiththewomen，andmenwillmakeyouLG。
Doesthewoodpeckerflitroundtheyoungferash？
Doesgrassclotheanew-builtwall？
Issheunderthirty，thewomanwhoholdsaboyinherthrall？
IfShegrowsuddenlygracious——reflectIsitallforthee？
Theblack-buckisstalkedthroughthebullock，andManthroughjealousy。
SeeknotforfavorofwomenSoshallyoufinditindeed。
Doesnottheboarbreakcoverjustwhenyou’relightingaweed？
IfHeplay，beingyoungandunskilful，forshekelsofsilverandgold，Takehismoney，myson，praisingAllahThekidwasordainedtobesold。
Witha“weed“amoungmenorhorsesverilythisisthebest，Thatyouworkhiminofficeordog-cartlightly——butgivehimnorest。
PleasantthesnaffleofCourtship，improvingthemannersandcarriage；
Butthecoltwhoiswisewillabstainfromtheterriblethorn-bitofMarriage。
Asthethrilessgoldofthebabul，soisthegoldthatwespendOnaderbySweep，orourneighbor’swife，orthehorsethatwebuyfromafriend。
Thewaysofmanwithamaidbestrange，yetsimpleandtameTothewaysofamanwithahorse，whensellingorracingthatsame。
InpublicHerfaceturnethtothee，andpleasantHersmilewhenyemeet。
ItisillThecoldrocksofEl-Gidarsmilethusonthewavesattheirfeet。
InpublicHerfaceisaverted，withangerShenameththyname。
ItiswellWasthereeveralosercontentwiththelossofthegame？
IfShehavespokenaword，rememberthylipsaresealed，AndtheBrandoftheDogisuponhimbywhomisthesecretrevealed。
IfShehavewrittenaletter，delaynotaninstant，butburnit。
Tearittopieces，OFool，andthewindtohermateshallreturnit！
IftherebetroubletoHerward，andalieoftheblackestcanclear，Lie，whilethylipscanmoveoramanisalivetohear。
MySon，ifamaidendenytheeandscufflinglybidtheegiveo’er，Yetlipmeetswithlipatthelastword——getout！
Shehasbeentherebefore。
Theyarepeckedontheearandthechinandthenosewhoarelackinginlore。
Ifwefallintherace，thoughwewin，thehoff-slideisscarredonthecourse。
ThoughAllahandEarthpardonSin，remainethforeverRemorse。
“ByallIammisunderstood！”iftheMatronshallsay，ortheMaid：
“Alas！Idonotunderstand。”myson，bethounowiseafraid。
InvaininthesightoftheBirdisthenetoftheFowlerdisplayed。
XIX。
Myson，ifI，Hafiz，thefather，takeholdofthykneesinmypain，Demandingthynameonstampedpaper，onedayoronehour——
refrain。
Arethelinksofthyfetterssolightthatthoucravestanotherman’schain？
THEGRAVEOFTHEHUNDEREDHEAD
There’sawidowinsleepyChesterWhoweepsforheronlyson；
There’sagraveonthePabengRiver，AgravethattheBurmansshun，Andthere’sSubadarPragTewarriWhotellshowtheworkwasdone。
ASnidersquibbedinthejungle，Somebodylaughedandfled，AndthemenoftheFirstShikarisPickeduptheirSubalterndead，WithabigbluemarkinhisforeheadAndthebackblownoutofhishead。
SubadarPragTewarri，JemadarHiraLal，Tookcommandoftheparty，Twentyriflesinall，MarchedthemdowntotheriverAsthedaywasbeginningtofall。
Theyburiedtheboybytheriver，Ablanketoverhisface——
TheyweptfortheirdeadLieutenant，Themenofanalienrace——
Theymadeasamadhinhishonor，Amarkforhisresting-place。
FortheysworebytheHolyWater，Theysworebythesalttheyate，ThatthesoulofLieutenantEshmittSahibShouldgotohisGodinstate；
WithfiftyfileofBurmanToopenhimHeaven’sgate。
ThemenoftheFirstShikarisMarchedtillthebreakofday，Tilltheycametotherebelvillage，ThevillageofPabengmay——
Ajingalcoveredtheclearing，Calthropshamperedtheway。
SubadarPragTewarri，Biddingthemloadwithball，HaltedadozenriflesUnderthevillagewall；
Sentoutaflanking-partyWithJemadarHiraLal。
ThemenoftheFirstShikarisShoutedandsmoteandslew，TurningthegrinningjingalOntothehowlingcrew。
TheJemadar’sflanking-partyButcheredthefolkwhoflew。
Longwasthemornofslaughter，Longwasthelistofslain，Fivescoreheadsweretaken，Fivescoreheadsandtwain；
AndthemenoftheFirstShickarisWentbacktotheirgraveagain，EachmanbearingabasketRedashispalmsthatday，Redastheblazingvillage——
ThevillageofPabengmay，Andthe“drip-drip-drip“fromthebasketsReddenedthegrassbytheway。
TheymadeapileoftheirtrophiesHighasatallman’schin，Headuponheaddistorted，Setinasightlessgrin，AngerandpainandterrorStampedonthesmoke-scorchedskin。
SubadarPragTewarriPuttheheadoftheBohOnthetopofthemoundoftriumph，Theheadofhissonbelow，Withtheswordandthepeacock-bannerThattheworldmightbeholdandknow。
Thusthesamadhwasperfect，ThuswasthelessonplainOfthewrathoftheFirstShikaris——
Thepriceofawhitemanslain；
AndthemenoftheFirstShikarisWentbackintocampagain。
Thenasilencecametotheriver，Ahushfellovertheshore，AndBohsthatwerebravedeparted，AndSniderssquibbednomore；
ForheBurmanssaidThatakullah’sheadMustbepaidforwithheadsfivescore。
There’sawidowinsleepyChesterWhoweepsforheronlyson；
There’sagraveonthePabengRiver，AgravethattheBurmansshun，Andthere’sSubadarPragTewarriWhotellshowtheworkwasdone。
THEMOONOFOTHERDAYS
Beneaththedeepveranda’sshade，Whenbatsbegintofly，Isitmedownandwatch——alas！——
Anothereveningdie。
Blood-redbehindthesereferashSherisesthroughthehaze。
SaintedDiana！canthatbeTheMoonofOtherDays？
Ah！shadeoflittleKittySmith，SweetSaintofKensington！
Say，wasiteverthusatHomeTheMoonofAugustshone，WhenarminarmwewanderedlongThroughPutney’seveninghaze，AndHammersmithwasHeavenbeneathThemoonofOtherDays？
ButWandle’sstreamisSutlejnow，AndPutney’seveninghazeThedustthathalfahunderedkineBeforemywindowraise。
Unkempt，unclean，athwartthemistTheseethingcitylooms，InplaceofPutney’sgoldengorseThesicklybabulblooms。
Glaredown，oldHecate，throughthedust，Andbidthepie-dogyell，Drawfromthedrainitstyphoid-term，Fromeachbazaaritssmell；
Yea，suckthefeverfromthetankAndsapmystrengththerewith：
ThankHeaven，youshowasmilingfaceTolittleKittySmith！
THEOVERLANDMAIL
Foot-ServicetotheHills
InthenameoftheEmpressofIndia，makeway，OLordsoftheJungle，whereveryouroam。
Thewoodsareastiratthecloseoftheday——
WeexilesarewaitingforlettersfromHome。
Lettherobberretreat——letthetigerturntail——
IntheNameoftheEmpress，theOverlandMail！
Withajingleofbellsastheduskgathersin，Heturnstothefoot-paththatheadsupthehill——
Thebagsonhisbackandaclothroundhischin，And，tuckedinhiswaist-belt，thePostOfficebill：
“Despatchedonthisdate，asreceivedbytherail，Perrunnger，twobagsoftheOverlandMail。”
Isthetorrentinspate？Hemustforditorswim。
Hastherainwreckedtheroad？Hemustclimbbythecliff。
Doesthetempestcry“Halt“？Whataretempeststohim？
TheServiceadmitsnota“but“orand“if。”
Whilethebreath’sinhismouth，hemustbearwithoutfail，IntheNameoftheEmpress，theOverlandMail。
Fromaloetorose-oak，fromrose-oaktofir，Fromleveltoupland，fromuplandtocrest，Fromrice-fieldtorock-ridge，fromrock-ridgetospur，Flythesoftsandalledfeet，strainsthebrawnybrownchest。
Fromrailtoravine——tothepeakfromthevale——
Up，upthroughthenightgoestheOverlandMail。
There’saspeckonthehillside，adotontheroad——
Ajingleofbellsonthefoot-pathbelow——
There’sascuffleaboveinthemonkey’sabode——
Theworldisawake，andthecloudsareaglow。
ForthegreatSunhimselfmustattendtothehail：
“InthenameoftheEmpresstheOverlandMail！”
WHATTHEPEOPLESAID
June21st，1887
Bythewell，wherethebullocksgoSilentandblindandslow——
BythefieldwheretheyoungcorndiesInthefaceofthesultryskies，Theyhaveheard，asthedullEarthhearsThevoiceofthewindofanhour，ThesoundoftheGreatQueen’svoice：
“MyGodhathgivenmeyears，Hathgranteddominionandpower：
AndIbidyou，OLand，rejoice。”
AndtheploughmansettlestheshareMoredeepinthegrudgingclod；
Forhesaith：“Thewheatismycare，AndtherestisthewillofGod。
HesenttheMahrattaspearAsHesendeththerain，AndtheMlech，inthefatedyear，Brokethespearintwain。
AndwasbrokeninturnWhoknowsHowourLordsmakestrife？
Itisgoodthattheyoungwheatgrows，ForthebreadisLife。”
Then，farandnear，asthetwilightdrew，HisseduptothescornfuldarkGreatserpents，blazing，ofredandblue，Thatroseandfaded，androseanew。
ThattheLandmightwonderandmark“To-dayisadayofdays。”theysaid，“Makemerry，OPeople，all！”
AndthePloughmanlistenedandbowedhishead：
“To-dayandto-morrowGod’swill。”hesaid，Ashetrimmedthelampsonthewall。
“Hesendethusyearsthataregood，AsHesendeththedearth，Hegivethtoeachmanhisfood，OrHerfoodtotheEarth。
OurKingsandourQueensareafar——
Ontheirpeoplesbepeace