The Vale To You, To Me The Heights

Read 'The Vale To You, To Me The Heights' by 'Victor Hugo' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

The Vale To You, To Me The Heights by Victor Hugo

 A FABLE. 
 
 {Bk. III. vi., October, 1846.} 


 A lion camped beside a spring, where came the Bird 
 Of Jove to drink: 
 When, haply, sought two kings, without their courtier herd, 
 The moistened brink, 
 Beneath the palm—they always tempt pugnacious hands— 
 Both travel-sore; 
 But quickly, on the recognition, out flew brands 
 Straight to each core; 
 As dying breaths commingle, o'er them rose the call 
 Of Eagle shrill: 
 "Yon crownèd couple, who supposed the world too small, 
 Now one grave fill! 
 Chiefs blinded by your rage! each bleachèd sapless bone 
 Becomes a pipe 
 Through which siroccos whistle, trodden 'mong the stone 
 By quail and snipe. 
 Folly's liege-men, what boots such murd'rous raid, 
 And mortal feud? 
 I, Eagle, dwell as friend with Leo—none afraid— 
 In solitude: 
 At the same pool we bathe and quaff in placid mood. 
 Kings, he and I; 
 For I to him leave prairie, desert sands and wood, 
 And he to me the sky." 
 
 H.L.W. 


 

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