The Brothers

The Brothers

Beneath Socotra, and before

The mariner makes the Libyan shore,

Or him the Doubtful Cape beguiles,

Black in the Night two dreadful Isles.

By Allah chain’d to Ocean’s bed,

Each shows above an awful head,

And front to front, envisaged, frown

To frown retorts—by loud renown

The Brothers. But no love between:

Tho’ bound, they nurse a mutual spleen;

And, when the thundering Waves engage

In battle, vent immortal rage.

Darzé:‘Ho! Thro’ the Midnight learn my hate.

When God releases, then thy fate.’

Samhé:‘When God unbinds thy fetter’d feet,

For mercy him, not me, entreat.’

Darzé:‘Dost think, because thy head is high,

That thou art more divine than I?’

Samhé:‘Because thy looks are earthward given

Thou hatest one who looks to Heaven.’

Darzé:‘Because thou gazest at the Sun

Think’st thou thou art the nobler one?’

Samhé:‘For them who with the Stars converse

There is no better and no worse.’

Darzé:‘So! hold thy old philosophy!

Truth and the World enough for me.

For humble Truth was born on Earth,

But Lies, forsooth, have better birth!’

Samhé:‘I watch the white Stars rise and fall;

I hear the vanish’d Eagles call;

For me the World is but a Sod;

I strive to see the eyes of God.’

1888.

The islands about which this legend is told are known as Jezírat Darzé and Jezírat Samhé, east of Cape Gardafui—one high and the other low.