PHILOSOPHER

In the gardens of Hupbasis
Where frankincense and cinnamon
Grow on mountains near the pepper-trees,
Apollonius of Tyana
Wandered on the way to Ganges.

Here the monkeys pick the peppers,
Piling peppers in the clearings
Where the Indians gather swiftly.
So by night Ap'llonius saw them,
Working monkeys while men slept.

. . .

After crossing up the mountains
They saw a level plain of ditches
Fed by Ganges full of water.
There the Indians feed the soil,
Making it the best of India,
Sprouting corn-stalks tall as rushes.
Enormous millet-grain and sesame . . .
(Their vines are small, like those in Egypt.)

Magic snakes grow in the rivers,
And dart swiftly as quicksilver
Round the unsuspecting traveller;
Choke kings -- and Greek philosophers.
Ah! they flash their beards of silver!
(Their eyes are stones of glaring crimson:
Indians trick them, with golden letters . . .)

But these Ap'llonius did not see
As he moved on, to populous Paraca.

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Copyright 1973, 1975, 2003.

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Last modified: 10:51 PM 21/01/2004