C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

al-Find: Vengeance

By al-Find, of the Zimman Tribe: Translation of Sir Charles James Lyall

FORGIVENESS had we for Hind’s sons:

We said, “The men our brothers are;

The days may bring that yet again

They be the folk that once they were.”

But when the Ill stood clear and plain,

And naked Wrong was bold to brave,

And naught was left but bitter Hate—

We paid them in the coin they gave.

We strode as stalks a lion forth

At dawn, a lion wrathful-eyed;

Blows rained we, dealing shame on shame,

And humbling pomp and quelling pride.

Too kind a man may be with fools,

And nerve them but to flout him more;

And Mischief oft may bring thee peace,

When Mildness works not Folly’s cure.