18 JANUARY 1963, Page 21

Four Poems

By JAMES REEVES

Demigods

We demigods can't be too careful, see. Stricter proprieties hedge us. One slip-up Can get us a bad name both in heaven and earth. One of us lies and cheats and some god says Well, he's half-human—what can you expect? Another whores or drinks himself to death And all men vilify his godly vices.

It's hard. But with' the gods, how different!

All that they do enhances their prestige, Or is officially overlooked, or else

Is twisted to adorn the personal legends They've nothing else to do but manufacture.

Incest or sodomy, it's all the same, A god must have some respite from his cares. And erring humans claim divine protection; But demigods have got to mind their step.