III

And lo! hard by at a pillar

Two learned Sophists disputed,

Taking the turn of speech

And disciples applauded each

Or else each other confuted

With babble and clenching of fist,

And thrusting of face into face,

And saying “Demus hath reason”

Or “Lycas hath conquered. The season

Of Demus hath passed, and his place

“Is with us no longer.” And mildly

The grave-eyed Dreamer watched them

Shouting and seething and ranting.

But, when they perceived him, panting

( For a sudden impulse snatched them )

Ran up a crowd of both factions

And cried, “Oh! Master, befriend us,

For we all of us know thou art wisest,

That thou speakest the truth and despisest

No man and his need. Therefore lend us

“Thy wisdom in this our dilemma.”

And the Dreamer answered, “I hear.”

So they told him with quibble and chatter....

And it seemed to him all no matter

Like the croaking of frogs in a mere.