LITMIR.BIZ

        I held by Scindia, my lord, as close as man might hold;

         A Soobah of the Deccan asks no aid to guard his life;

        But Holkar’s Horse were flying, and our chiefest chiefs were cold,

         And like a flame among us leapt the long lean Northern knife.

        I held by Scindia – my lance from butt to tuft was dyed,

         The froth of battle bossed the shield and roped the bridle-chain —

        What time beneath our horses’ feet a maiden rose and cried,

         And clung to Scindia, and I turned a sword-cut from the twain.

        (He set a spell upon the maid in woodlands long ago,

         A hunter by the Tapti banks she gave him water there:

        He turned her heart to water, and she followed to her woe.

         What need had he of Lalun who had twenty maids as fair?)

        Now in that hour strength left my lord; he wrenched his mare aside;

         He bound the girl behind him and we slashed and struggled free.

        Across the reeling wreck of strife we rode as shadows ride

         From Paniput to Delhi town, but not alone were we.

        ‘Twas Lutuf-Ullah Populzai laid horse upon our track,

         A swine-fed reiver of the North that lusted for the maid;

        I might have barred his path awhile, but Scindia called me back,

         And  I – O woe for Scindia! – I listened and obeyed.

        League after league the formless scrub took shape and glided by —

         League after league the white road swirled behind the white mare’s feet —

        League after league, when leagues were done, we heard the Populzai,

         Where sure as Time and swift as Death the tireless footfall beat.

        Noon’s eye beheld that shame of flight, the shadows fell, we fled

         Where steadfast as the wheeling kite he followed in our train;

        The black wolf warred where we had warred, the jackal mocked our dead,

         And terror born of twilight-tide made mad the labouring brain.

        I gasped: – “A kingdom waits my lord; her love is but her own.

         A day shall mar, a day shall cure for her, but what for thee?

        Cut loose the girl:  he follows fast.  Cut loose and ride alone!”

          Then Scindia ‘twixt his blistered lips: – “My Queens’ Queen shall she be!

        “Of all who ate my bread last night ‘twas she alone that came

         To seek her love between the spears and find her crown therein!

        One shame is mine to-day, what need the weight of double shame?

         If once we reach the Delhi gate, though all be lost, I win!”

        We rode – the white mare failed – her trot a staggering stumble grew, —

         The cooking-smoke of even rose and weltered and hung low;

        And still we heard the Populzai and still we strained anew,

         And Delhi town was very near, but nearer was the foe.

        Yea, Delhi town was very near when Lalun whispered: – “Slay!

         Lord of my life, the mare sinks fast – stab deep and let me die!”

         But Scindia would not, and the maid tore free and flung away,

         And turning as she fell we heard the clattering Populzai.