Oh，EastisEast，andWestisWest，andneverthetwainshallmeet，TillEarthandSkystandpresentlyatGod’sgreatJudgmentSeat；
　　ButthereisneitherEastnorWest，Border，norBreed，norBirth，Whentwostrongmenstandfacetoface，tho’theycomefromtheendsoftheearth！
　　KamalisoutwithtwentymentoraisetheBorder-side，AndhehasliftedtheColonel’smarethatistheColonel’spride：
　　Hehasliftedheroutofthestable-doorbetweenthedawnandtheday，Andturnedthecalkinsuponherfeet，andriddenherfaraway。
　　ThenupandspoketheColonel’ssonthatledatroopoftheGuides：
　　“IsthereneveramanofallmymencansaywhereKamalhides？”
　　ThenupandspokeMahommedKhan，thesonoftheRessaldar：
　　“Ifyeknowthetrackofthemorning-mist，yeknowwherehispicketsare。
　　AtduskheharriestheAbazai——atdawnheisintoBonair，ButhemustgobyFortBuklohtohisownplacetofare，SoifyegalloptoFortBuklohasfastasabirdcanfly，BythefavourofGodyemaycuthimofferehewintotheTongueofJagai。
　　ButifhebepasttheTongueofJagai，rightswiftlyturnyethen，ForthelengthandthebreadthofthatgrislyplainissownwithKamal’smen。
　　Thereisrocktotheleft，androcktotheright，andlowleanthornbetween，Andyemayhearabreech-boltsnickwhereneveramanisseen。”
　　TheColonel’ssonhastakenahorse，andarawroughdunwashe，WiththemouthofabellandtheheartofHellandtheheadofthegallows-tree。
　　TheColonel’ssontotheForthaswon，theybidhimstaytoeat——
　　WhoridesatthetailofaBorderthief，hesitsnotlongathismeat。
　　He’supandawayfromFortBuklohasfastashecanfly，Tillhewasawareofhisfather’smareinthegutoftheTongueofJagai，Tillhewasawareofhisfather’smarewithKamaluponherback，Andwhenhecouldspythewhiteofhereye，hemadethepistolcrack。
　　Hehasfiredonce，hehasfiredtwice，butthewhistlingballwentwide。
　　“Yeshootlikeasoldier。”Kamalsaid“Shownowifyecanride。”
　　It’supandovertheTongueofJagai，asblowndustdevilsgo，Thedunhefledlikeastagoften，butthemarelikeabarrendoe。
　　Thedunheleanedagainstthebitandsluggedhisheadabove，Buttheredmareplayedwiththesnaffle-bars，asamaidenplayswithaglove。
　　Therewasrocktotheleftandrocktotheright，andlowleanthornbetween，Andthriceheheardabreech-boltsnicktho’neveramanwasseen。
　　Theyhaveriddenthelowmoonoutofthesky，theirhoofsdrumupthedawn，Thedunhewentlikeawoundedbull，butthemarelikeanew-rousedfawn。
　　Thedunhefellatawater-course——inawofulheapfellhe，AndKamalhasturnedtheredmareback，andpulledtheriderfree。
　　Hehasknockedthepistoloutofhishand——smallroomwastheretostrive，“’Twasonlybyfavourofmine。”quothhe，“yerodesolongalive：
　　Therewasnotarockfortwentymile，therewasnotaclumpoftree，Butcoveredamanofmyownmenwithhisriflecockedonhisknee。
　　IfIhadraisedmybridle-hand，asIhavehelditlow，Thelittlejackalsthatfleesofastwerefeastingallinarow：
　　IfIhadbowedmyheadonmybreast，asIhaveheldithigh，Thekitethatwhistlesaboveusnowweregorgedtillshecouldnotfly。”
　　LightlyansweredtheColonel’sson：“Dogoodtobirdandbeast，Butcountwhocomeforthebrokenmeatsbeforethoumakestafeast。
　　Ifthereshouldfollowathousandswordstocarrymybonesaway，Belikethepriceofajackal’smealweremorethanathiefcouldpay。
　　Theywillfeedtheirhorseonthestandingcrop，theirmenonthegarneredgrain，Thethatchofthebyreswillservetheirfireswhenallthecattleareslain。
　　Butifthouthinkestthepricebefair，——thybrethrenwaittosup，Thehoundiskintothejackal-spawn，——howl，dog，andcallthemup！
　　Andifthouthinkestthepricebehigh，insteerandgearandstack，Givememyfather’smareagain，andI’llfightmyownwayback！”
　　Kamalhasgrippedhimbythehandandsethimuponhisfeet。
　　“Notalkshallbeofdogs。”saidhe，“whenwolfandgraywolfmeet。
　　MayIeatdirtifthouhasthurtofmeindeedorbreath；
　　WhatdamoflancesbroughttheeforthtojestatthedawnwithDeath？”
　　LightlyansweredtheColonel’sson：“Iholdbythebloodofmyclan：
　　Takeupthemareformyfather’sgift——byGod，shehascarriedaman！”
　　TheredmarerantotheColonel’sson，andnuzzledagainsthisbreast；
　　“Webetwostrongmen。”saidKamalthen，“butsheloveththeyoungerbest。
　　Sosheshallgowithalifter’sdower，myturquoise-studdedrein，Mybroideredsaddleandsaddle-cloth，andsilverstirrupstwain。”
　　TheColonel’ssonapistoldrewandhelditmuzzle-end，“Yehavetakentheonefromafoe。”saidhe；
　　“willyetakethematefromafriend？”
　　“Agiftforagift。”saidKamalstraight；“alimbfortheriskofalimb。
　　Thyfatherhassenthissontome，I’llsendmysontohim！”
　　Withthathewhistledhisonlyson，thatdroppedfromamountain-crest——
　　Hetrodthelinglikeabuckinspring，andhelookedlikealanceinrest。
　　“Nowhereisthymaster。”Kamalsaid，“wholeadsatroopoftheGuides，Andthoumustrideathisleftsideasshieldonshoulderrides。
　　TillDeathorIcutloosethetie，atcampandboardandbed，Thylifeishis——thyfateitistoguardhimwiththyhead。
　　So，thoumusteattheWhiteQueen’smeat，andallherfoesarethine，Andthoumustharrythyfather’sholdforthepeaceoftheBorder-line，Andthoumustmakeatroopertoughandhackthywaytopower——
　　BeliketheywillraisetheetoRessaldarwhenIamhangedinPeshawur。”
　　Theyhavelookedeachotherbetweentheeyes，andtheretheyfoundnofault，TheyhavetakentheOathoftheBrother-in-Bloodonleavenedbreadandsalt：
　　TheyhavetakentheOathoftheBrother-in-Bloodonfireandfresh-cutsod，OnthehiltandthehaftoftheKhyberknife，andtheWondrousNamesofGod。
　　TheColonel’ssonheridesthemareandKamal’sboythedun，AndtwohavecomebacktoFortBuklohwheretherewentforthbutone。
　　AndwhentheydrewtotheQuarter-Guard，fulltwentyswordsflewclear——
　　Therewasnotamanbutcarriedhisfeudwiththebloodofthemountaineer。
　　“Ha’done！ha’done！”saidtheColonel’sson。
　　“Putupthesteelatyoursides！
　　LastnightyehadstruckataBorderthief——
　　to-night’tisamanoftheGuides！”
　　Oh，EastisEast，andWestisWest，andneverthetwainshallmeet，TillEarthandSkystandpresentlyatGod’sgreatJudgmentSeat；
　　ButthereisneitherEastnorWest，Border，norBreed，norBirth，Whentwostrongmenstandfacetoface，tho’theycomefromtheendsoftheearth！
　　THELASTSHUTTEE
　　NotmanyyearsagoaKingdiedinoneoftheRajpootStates。
　　Hiswives，disregardingtheordersoftheEnglishagainstSuttee，wouldhavebrokenoutofthepalacehadnotthegatesbeenbarred。
　　Butoneofthem，disguisedastheKing’sfavouritedancing-girl，passedthroughthelineofguardsandreachedthepyreThere，hercouragefailing，sheprayedhercousin，abaronofthecourt，tokillherThishedid，notknowingwhoshewas。
　　UdaiChandlaysicktodeathInhisholdbyGungrahill。
　　Allnightweheardthedeath-gongsringForthesoulofthedyingRajpootKing，Allnightbeatupfromthewomen’swingAcrythatwecouldnotstill。
　　Allnightthebaronscameandwent，Thelordsoftheouterguard：
　　AllnightthecressetsglimmeredpaleOnUlwarsabreandTonkjezail，MewarheadstallandMarwarmail，Thatclinkedinthepalaceyard。
　　IntheGoldenroomonthepalaceroofAllnighthefoughtforair：
　　Andtherewassobbingbehindthescreen，Rustleandwhisperofwomenunseen，AndthehungryeyesoftheBoondiQueenOnthedeathshemightnotshare。
　　Hepassedatdawn——thedeath-fireleapedFromridgetoriver-head，FromtheMalwaplainstotheAbuscars：
　　AndwailuponwailwentuptothestarsBehindthegrimzenana-bars，WhentheyknewthattheKingwasdead。
　　ThedumbpriestknelttotiehismouthAndrobehimforthepyre。
　　TheBoondiQueenbeneathuscried：
　　“See，now，thatwedieasourmothersdiedInthebridal-bedbyourmaster’sside！
　　Out，women！——tothefire！”
　　Wedrovethegreatgateshomeapace：
　　Whitehandswereonthesill：
　　ButeretherushoftheunseenfeetHadreachedtheturntotheopenstreet，Thebarsshotdown，theguard-drumbeat——
　　Weheldthedovecotstill。
　　Afacelookeddowninthegatheringday，Andlaughingspokefromthewall：
　　“Oh]/e，theymournhere：letmeby——
　　Azizun，theLucknownautch-girl，I！
　　Whenthehouseisrotten，theratsmustfly，AndIseekanotherthrall。
　　“ForIruledtheKingasne’erdidQueen，——
　　To-nighttheQueensruleme！
　　Guardthemsafely，butletmego，OrevertheypaythedebttheyoweInscourgeandtorture！”Sheleapedbelow，Andthegrimguardwatchedherflee。
　　TheyknewthattheKinghadspenthissoulOnaNorth-breddancing-girl：
　　Thatheprayedtoaflat-nosedLucknowgod，Andkissedthegroundwhereherfeethadtrod，Anddoomedtodeathatherdrunkennod，Andsworebyherlightestcurl。
　　WeboretheKingtohisfathers’place，WherethetombsoftheSun-bornstand：
　　Wherethegrayapesswing，andthepeacockspreenOnfrettedpillarandjewelledscreen，AndthewildboarcouchinthehouseoftheQueenOnthedriftofthedesertsand。
　　Theheraldreadhistitlesforth，Wesetthelogsaglow：
　　“FriendoftheEnglish，freefromfear，BaronofLunitoJeysulmeer，LordoftheDesertofBikaneer，KingoftheJungle，——go！”
　　AllnighttheredflamestabbedtheskyWithwaveringwind-tossedspears：
　　AndoutofashatteredtemplecreptAwomanwhoveiledherheadandwept，AndcalledontheKing——butthegreatKingslept，Andturnednotforhertears。
　　Smallthoughthadhetomarkthestrife——
　　Coldfearwithhotdesire——
　　Whenthricesheleapedfromtheleapingflame，Andthriceshebeatherbreastforshame，AndthricelikeawoundeddoveshecameAndmoanedaboutthefire。
　　Onewatched，abow-shotfromtheblaze，Thesilentstreetsbetween，WhohadstoodbytheKinginsportandfray，Tobladeinambushorboaratbay，Andhewasabaronoldandgray，AndkintotheBoondiQueen。
　　Hesaid：“Oshameless，putasideTheveiluponthybrow！
　　WhoheldtheKingandallhislandTothewantonwillofaharlot’shand！
　　Willthewhiteashrisefromtheblisteredbrand？
　　Stoopdown，andcallhimnow！”
　　Thenshe：“Bythefaithofmytarnishedsoul，AllthingsIdidnotwell，Ihadhopedtoclearerethefiredied，Andlaymedownbymymaster’ssideToruleinHeavenhisonlybride，WhiletheothershowlinHell。
　　“ButIhavefeltthefire’sbreath，Andharditistodie！
　　YetifImayprayaRajpootlordTosullythesteelofaThakur’sswordWithbase-bornbloodofatradeabhorred。”——
　　AndtheThakuranswered，“Ay。”
　　Hedrewandstruck：thestraightbladedrankThelifebeneaththebreast。
　　“IhadlookedfortheQueentofacetheflame，ButtheharlotdiesfortheRajpootdame——
　　Sisterofmine，pass，freefromshame，PasswiththyKingtorest！”
　　Theblacklogcrashedabovethewhite：
　　Thelittleflamesandlean，Redasslaughterandblueassteel，Thatwhistledandflutteredfromheadtoheel，Leapedupanew，fortheyfoundtheirmealOntheheartof——theBoondiQueen！
　　THEBALLADOFTHEKING’SMERCY
　　AbdhurRahman，theDuraniChief，ofhimisthestorytold。
　　HismercyfillstheKhyberhills——hisgraceismanifold；
　　HehastakentolloftheNorthandtheSouth——
　　hisgloryreachethfar，AndtheytellthetaleofhischarityfromBalkhtoKandahar。