Singing a song of solitary battle,

A loud mad song, for he was very young.

Vivid the air—and something more than vivid,—

Tall clouds were in the sky—and something more,—

The light horizon of the spring was livid

With a steel smile that showed the teeth of war.

It was young David mocked the Philistine.

It was young David laughed beside the river.

There came his mother—his and yours and mine—

With five smooth stones, and dropped them in his quiver.

You never saw so green-and-gold a fairy.

You never saw such very April eyes.

She sang him sorrow’s song to make him wary,

She gave him five smooth stones to make him wise.

The first stone is love, and that shall fail you.

The second stone is hate, and that shall fail you.

The third stone is knowledge, and that shall fail you.

The fourth stone is prayer, and that shall fail you.

The fifth stone shall not fail you.

For what is love, O lovers of my tribe?

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