Two Wise Generals
`Not as Black Douglas, bannered, trumpeted, Who hacked for the tasked heart flung to the enemy, Letting the whole air flow breakneck with blood Till he fell astride that handful, you and I Come, two timid and ageing generals To parley, and to divide the territory Upon a map, and get honour, and by This satisfaction part with regiments whole.'
They entered the lit tent, in no hurry to grab. Apart in darkness twinkled their armies Like two safe towns. Thus they drank, joked, waxed wise— So heavily medalled never need fear stab.
The treaty sealed, lands allotted (and a good third Stuffed down their tunic fronts' private estate) They left the empty bottle. The tent-lamp out, They lurched away in the knee-high mist, hearing the first bird, Toward separate camps. Now, one a late dew- moth Eyes, as he sways, among the still tents. The other roars `Guard!'
As a fox ducks from the silent parapet. Both Have found their sleeping armies massacred.
TED HUGHES
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