VI.

THE TWO NEIGHBORS.

The difference this betwixt the evil pair, Faithless to God--for laws without a care-- One was the claw, the other one the will Controlling. Yet to mass they both went still, And on the rosary told their beads each day. But none the less the world believed that they Unto the powers of hell their souls had sold. Even in whispers men each other told The details of the pact which they had signed With that dark power, the foe of human kind; In whispers, for the crowd had mortal dread Of them so high, and woes that they had spread. One might be vengeance and the other hate, Yet lived they side by side, in powerful state And close alliance. All the people near From red horizon dwelt in abject fear, Mastered by them; their figures darkly grand Had ruddy reflex from the wasted land, And fires, and towns they sacked. Besides the one, Like David, poet was, the other shone As fine musician--rumor spread their fame, Declaring them divine, until each name In Italy's fine sonnets met with praise. The ancient hierarch in those old days Had custom strange, a now forgotten thing, It was a European plan that King Of France was marquis, and th' imperial head Of Germany was duke; there was no need To class the other kings, but barons they, Obedient vassals unto Rome, their stay. The King of Poland was but simple knight, Yet now, for once, had strange unwonted right, And, as exception to the common state, This one Sarmatian King was held as great As German Emperor; and each knew how His evil part to play, nor mercy show. The German had one aim, it was to take All land he could, and it his own to make. The Pole already having Baltic shore, Seized Celtic ports, still needing more and more. On all the Northern Sea his crafts roused fear: Iceland beheld his demon navy near. Antwerp the German burnt; and Prussias twain Bowed to the yoke. The Polish King was fain To help the Russian Spotocus--his aid Was like the help that in their common trade A sturdy butcher gives a weaker one. The King it is who seizes, and this done, The Emp'ror pillages, usurping right In war Teutonic, settled but by might. The King in Jutland cynic footing gains, The weak coerced, the while with cunning pains The strong are duped. But 'tis a law they make That their accord themselves should never break. From Arctic seas to cities Transalpine, Their hideous talons, curved for sure rapine, Scrape o'er and o'er the mournful continent, Their plans succeed, and each is well content. Thus under Satan's all paternal care They brothers are, this royal bandit pair. Oh, noxious conquerors! with transient rule Chimera heads--ambition can but fool. Their misty minds but harbor rottenness Loathsome and fetid, and all barrenness-- Their deeds to ashes turn, and, hydra-bred, The mystic skeleton is theirs to dread. The daring German and the cunning Pole Noted to-day a woman had control Of lands, and watched Mahaud like evil spies; And from the Emp'ror's cruel mouth--with dyes Of wrath empurpled--came these words of late: "The empire wearies of the wallet weight Hung at its back--this High and Low Lusace, Whose hateful load grows heavier apace, That now a woman holds its ruler's place." Threatening, and blood suggesting, every word; The watchful Pole was silent--but he heard.

Two monstrous dangers; but the heedless one Babbles and smiles, and bids all care begone-- Likes lively speech--while all the poor she makes To love her, and the taxes off she takes. A life of dance and pleasure she has known-- A woman always; in her jewelled crown It is the pearl she loves--not cutting gems, For these can wound, and mark men's diadems. She pays the hire of Homer's copyists, And in the Courts of Love presiding, lists.

Quite recently unto her Court have come Two men--unknown their names or native home, Their rank or race; but one plays well the lute, The other is a troubadour; both suit The taste of Mahaud, when on summer eve, 'Neath opened windows, they obtain her leave To sing upon the terrace, and relate The charming tales that do with music mate. In August the Moravians have their fête, But it is radiant June in which Lusace Must consecrate her noble Margrave race. Thus in the weird and old ancestral tower For Mahaud now has come the fateful hour, The lonely supper which her state decrees. What matters this to flowers, and birds, and trees, And clouds and fountains? That the people may Still bear their yoke--have kings to rule alway? The water flows, the wind in passing by In murmuring tones takes up the questioning cry.