The Kiplings and India: A Collection of Writings from British India, 1870-1900

The Bearing of the Vine (Alice MacDonald Fleming, 1884)

[Published in Echoes, Lahore, 1884] 

Three maidens dwelt in a Hall, 
       White doves in the vine leaves green
Fair maidens one and all, 
       Rose wreaths for the head of the Queen.  

The first was fair, the second was gay, 
       Sweet buds in the vine leaves green;
The third may was a goodly may, 
       Gold rings for the hand of the Queen.  

Three knights by the castle door, 
          Grey hawks in the vine leaves green; 
Braver nights were never before,
         Ruby bands for the arm of the Queen.  

The first was strong, the second was brave, 
       Black wolves in the vine leaves green;
The third had all a knight could have,
       Diamond stars for the brow of the Queen.  

The first could fight, the second could kill,
       Dark snakes in the vine leaves green; 
The third knight could do all his will, 
       Gold shoes for the feet of the Queen.  

Six living before the noon, 
      Red blood in the vine leaves green; 
Six corpses beneath the moon, 
       Hell fire for the soul of the Queen.  


 

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