'The wizard's pride' by Yao Eglewogbe

When the story shall be told, No matter whose death it shall report, Then shall we, bold ones inBlack companionship, Clothe ourselves in white; The rising tombShall be our lazy chair; The place for brave men is the wilderness.Death is everywhere; So let ours come in the ripe season.One by one our fruits shall desertThe mother tree, And the fruit tree turned firewood.So when the story shall be told, No matter whose death it shall report, Then shall we, bold ones inBlack companionship, Clothe us in white; The rising tombShall be our lazy chair; The place for brave men is in the wilderness.Then, when at last the Death finds me outThe sun will now show; The heavy clouds will sustain their tearsAnd the hush village shall lieUnder the canopy of ugly vultures.Oh, do not weep; onlySend my body to the unhallowed ground.There leave me and weep notLest you give too much in tearsTo one who had so often drawn hot tearsFrom your sad faces.Send me to barren spot; I go alone that had killed so many; I had leaved and died a man, So strip my hollow faceWith white chalkAnd let dry leaves be my bed.Let the drummer move the priestess to madnessWhose god shall claimHonour my death.Only do not weepBut leave me there in a solitary pride.Lay me in with no mournful groan; Rather signs of relief should stir the neighbouring grass.The spirit world grudges notMy well-worn victory.The souls of my victims shall bowBefore the mighty dreadThat pushed them untimelyInto eternity.Now leave me in this barren placeAlone.My bold spirit shall know no fear.Let no stony crossCurse this black cemetery; instead, letThe mouldering leaves of neglected shrubsHide my proud bonesForm the ridiculous eyes of the worldI never really loved.Your tears are well preserved; You shall need them soon; For when the story shall be told, No matter whose death it shall report; Other men shall be dressed in whiteAnd rest their proud heads on rising tombsTill deathRends them cut. Then they shall comeHere, where only bold onesIn black companionship, Can have a restful bed.