Lay of Kushta, Sonnet 14
There was pause under the canopy as these words sank home.
Each of the six weigh'd a reply to the priest, but none said
Aught, until Cecil cough'd and said, Holy Father, it shall
Be as you decree, but what of Durkghu under the foam?
What stays him meanwhile? Maliva asleep? All full of dread
Am I at your news. And years could be spent traveling all
Across Kushta to twenty-three states. And no guarantee
Of being heard, much less of winning agreement of kings.
Crowned head makes stiff neck, so it is said. But yet, even so,
If you say we must go, I can but agree. So if we
All can reason our way to accept your own view of things
Then when do we leave? How do we start? And where shall we go?
For Cecil, as I noted earlier, was eager to aid
When his Church an application for succor relayed.