Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
Divided Destinies
I
And much I wondered how he lived, and where the beast might dine,
And many many other things, till, o’er my morning smoke,
I slept the sleep of idleness and dreamt that Bandar spoke.
“Observe, I know not Ranken’s shop, nor Ranken’s monthly bills!
“I take no heed to trousers or the coats that you call dress;
“Nor am I plagued with little cards for little drinks at Mess.
“(For he is fat and I am spare), I roam the mountain-side,
“I follow no man’s carriage, and no, never in my life
“Have I flirted at Peliti’s with another Bandar’s wife.
“I own no ponies in the hills, I drive no tallwheeled traps,
“I buy me not twelve-button gloves, ‘short-sixes’ eke, or rings,
“Nor do I waste at Hamilton’s my wealth on ‘pretty things.’
“But Mrs. B. has grasped the fact I am her only lord.
“I never heard of fever—dumps nor debts depress my soul;
“And I pity and despise you!” Here he pouched my breakfast-roll.
And ever and anon he scratched with energy his head.
His manners were not always nice, but how my spirit cried
To be an artless Bandar loose upon the mountain-side!
“Makes thee a gleesome fleasome Thou, and me a wretched Me.
“Go! Depart in peace, my brother, to thy home amid the pine;
“Yet forget not once a mortal wished to change his lot with thine.”