Poems (Jackson)/In Time of Famine
IN TIME OF FAMINE.
"
HE has no heart," they said, and turned away,Then, stung so that I wished my words might beTwo-edged swords, I answered low:—Two-edged swords, I answered low:—"Have yeNot read how once when famine held fierce swayIn Lydia, and men died day by dayOf hunger, there were found brave souls whose gleeScarce hid their pangs, who said, "Now weCan eat but once in two days; we will playSuch games on those days when we eat no foodThat we forget our pain." "Thus they withstoodLong years of famine; and to them we oweThe trumpets, pipes, and balls which mirth finds goodTo-day, and little dreams that of such woeThey first were born.They first were born."That woman's life I knowHas been all famine. Mock now if ye dare,To hear her brave sad laughter in the air."
HE has no heart," they said, and turned away,Then, stung so that I wished my words might beTwo-edged swords, I answered low:—Two-edged swords, I answered low:—"Have yeNot read how once when famine held fierce swayIn Lydia, and men died day by dayOf hunger, there were found brave souls whose gleeScarce hid their pangs, who said, "Now weCan eat but once in two days; we will playSuch games on those days when we eat no foodThat we forget our pain." "Thus they withstoodLong years of famine; and to them we oweThe trumpets, pipes, and balls which mirth finds goodTo-day, and little dreams that of such woeThey first were born.They first were born."That woman's life I knowHas been all famine. Mock now if ye dare,To hear her brave sad laughter in the air."