32
THE GIFT OF EMPTY HANDS.
One with the dragon fought, to gain
The enchanted fruit, and fought in vain;
The other breathed the garden's air,
And gathered precious apples there.
The enchanted fruit, and fought in vain;
The other breathed the garden's air,
And gathered precious apples there.
Backward to the imperial gate
One took his fortune, one his fate;
One showed sweet gifts from sweetest lands;
The other torn and empty hands.
One took his fortune, one his fate;
One showed sweet gifts from sweetest lands;
The other torn and empty hands.
At bird, and rose, and gem, and fruit,
The King was sad, the King was mute.
At last he slowly said: "My son
True treasure is not lightly won.
The King was sad, the King was mute.
At last he slowly said: "My son
True treasure is not lightly won.
"Your brother's hands, wherein you see
Only these scars, show more to me
Than if a kingdom's price I found
In place of each forgotten wound."
Only these scars, show more to me
Than if a kingdom's price I found
In place of each forgotten wound."
