A Soldier's Ancestry

WHEN Nadir asked a princess for his son,
And Delhi’s throne required his pedigree,
He stared upon the messenger as one
Who should have known his birth of bravery.
“ Go back,” he cried, in undissembled scorn,
“ And bear this answer to your waiting lord : —
‘ My child is noble ! for, though lowly born,
He is the son and grandson of the Sword ! ’ ”