Deep in the desert's misery, br far in the fury of the sand, br there stands the awesome Upas Tree br lone watchman of a lifeless land. br br The wilderness, a world of thirst, br in wrath engendered it and filled br its every root, every accursed br grey leafstalk with a sap that killed. br br Dissolving in the midday sun br the poison oozes through its bark, br and freezing when the day is done br gleams thick and gem-like in the dark. br br No bird flies near, no tiger creeps; br alone the whirlwind, wild and black, br assails the tree of death and sweeps br away with death upon its back. br br And though some roving cloud may stain br with glancing drops those leaden leaves, br the dripping of a poisoned rain br is all the burning sand receives. br br But man sent man with one proud look br towards the tree, and he was gone, br the humble one, and there he took br the poison and returned at dawn. br br He brought the deadly gum; with it br he brought some leaves, a withered bough, br while rivulets of icy sweat br ran slowly down his livid brow. br br He came, he fell upon a mat, br and reaping a poor slave's reward, br died near the painted hut where sat br his now unconquerable lord. br br The king, he soaked his arrows true br in poison, and beyond the plains br dispatched those messengers and slew br his neighbors in their own domains.