Two Poems by Rudyard Kipling 1865 – 1936.

I normally avoid comments on news, but looking at what has been happening over the last few days in UK; it brings to mind two poems by Rudyard Kipling:-

The Covenant

WE thought we ranked above the chance of ill.
Others might fall, not we, for we were wise –
merchants in freedom. So, of our free-will
we let our servants drug our strength with lies.
The pleasure and the poison had its way
on us as on the meanest, till we learned
that he who lies will steal, who steals will slay.
Neither God’s judgement nor man’s heart was turned.

Yet there remains His Mercy – to be sought
through wrath and peril till we cleanse the wrong
By that last right which our forefathers claimed
when their Law failed them and its stewards were bought.
This is our cause. God help us, and make strong
our will to meet Him later, unashamed!

The Beginnings

It was not part of their blood,
It came to them very late
With long arrears to make good,
When the English began to hate.

They were not easily moved,
they were icy-willing to wait
Till every count should be proved,
Ere the English began to hate.

Their voices were even and low,
their eyes were level and straight.
There was neither sign nor show,
When the English began to hate.

It was not preached to the crowd,
it was not taught by the State.
No man spoke it aloud,
When the English began to hate.

It was not suddenly bred,
It will not swiftly abate,
Through the chill years ahead,
When Time shall count from the date
That the English began to hate.

Both the above poems by – RUDYARD KIPLING

1865-1936