But none goes to kiss him. And no one will.

The black cover is nailed on; the candle, melting, falls.

(No sister lamenting, nor mother fainting with grief!)

This is a soldier, an orphan—then who should mourn?

THE RECRUIT

In the great Emperor’s courtyard

He stood at his post on the pavement.

He washed his face and dried it

As the duck her wings in water.

He washed his face with his tears—