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.