Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling
3034

Back to the ancient bitterness
Ye ended once for all- Back to oppression none may guess
Who have not borne its thrall- Back to the slough of their despond:
Helots anew held fast
By England’s “seal upon the bond
As helots to the last

What is their sin that they are made Rebellion’s lawful prey?
This is their sin-that, oft betrayed
They did not oft betray
That to their hurt they kept their vows:
That for their faith they died;
God help thee, children of our house,
Whom England hath denied

But we what God shall turn our doom,
What blessing dare we claim,
Who slay a nation in the womb
To crown a trickster’s game?
Who come before amazed mankind
Foresworn in party feud,
And search the forms of law to bind
Our blood to servitude?

But we what God shall turn our doom,
What blessing dare we claim,
Who slay a nation in the womb
To crown a trickster’s game?
Who come before amazed mankind
Foresworn in party feud,
And search the forms of law to bind
Our blood to servitude?

Now, ever now, before men learn
How near we broke our trust- Now, even now, ere we return
Dominion to the dust- Now, ere the gates of Mercy close
Forever ‘gainst the line
That sells its sons to serve its foes- Will England make no sign?