and knew and experienced; and as they indite the
caustic minute to the suffering subordinate, and strangle with
swaddlings of red-tape the tender babe of prosperity, they will
perchance look back with wonder at the men they once were, and thinking
of their experiences in the days of long ago will marvel that each one
of them as he left the desert experienced the pang of Chillon's
prisoner:--

Even I
Regained my freedom with a sigh.

L'ENVOI

By the green shade of the palm trees,
Where the river flows along
To be wedded to the calm seas,
Dwell the people of my song.
With a languid step they wander
Thro' the forest or the grove,
And with listless eyes they ponder
On the glories poets love.
They have little joy in beauty,
Little joy in virtue high,
Honour, mercy, truth, and duty,
Or the creeds for which men die.
But their lives are calm and peaceful,
And they ask for nothing more
Save some happy, listless, easeful
Years, and peace from strife and war.

Tales I tell of women wailing,
Cruel wrong and bitter strife,
Shrieking souls that pass, and quailing
Hearts that shrink beneath the knife.
Tales I tell of evil passions,
Men that suffer, men that slay,
All the tragedy that fashions
Life and death for such as they.
Yet these things are but as fleeting
Shadows, that more lightly pass
Than the sunlight, which retreating
Leaves no stain upon the grass.
O my friends! I judge ye lightly,
Listen to the tales I tell.
Answer, have I spoken rightly?
Judge me, have I loved ye well?

THE END

_Printed by_ R. R. CLARK, LIMITED, _Edinburgh_.

* * * * *

_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._

"=SINCE THE BEGINNING.=" A Tale of an Eastern Land. Crown 8vo, Cloth.
6s.

_The Sun._--"The author deals skilfully with a people still
uncivilised, still swayed by primeval passions. His characters are
well defined, and the tragedy which underlies the lives of the three
principals is poignant and impressive by reason of his simple
directness."

_St. James's Gazette._--"Mr. Hugh Clifford's knowledge of Malay life and
of the Malay land is undoubtedly great, and makes his story 'Since the
Beginning' very interesting."

_Daily Chronicle._--"Those who read the story will learn a good deal and
learn i