Lyon Sharman

From “Designs in Chinese Color”

“MAGICIANS fear the gods,” old Chung would say;

“They will brazen it out with you and me,

Beating us down with mystery;

They will falter and fail, grovel and pray,

If they meet a god at a turn in the way.”

“Magicians know the gods,” old Chung would say;

“Though a god should come in a ragged gown

Begging his rice through the dust of the town,

They will fumble their magic, fall flat and pray,

Should a god in rags come strolling their way.”