Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Kipling In Da House ...

Here's a hymn by Rudyard Kipling:

Recessional
June 22, 1897

GOD of our fathers, known of old—
Lord of our far-flung battle-line—
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, 5
Lest we forget, lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies—
The captains and the kings depart—
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart. 10
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget!

Far-call'd our navies melt away—
On dune and headland sinks the fire—
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday 15
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe— 20
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust 25
In reeking tube and iron shard—
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard—
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord! 30

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

5 Comments:

At Tue Oct 10, 11:05:00 AM PDT, Blogger Katie said...

From the title I feel like I should yell out a "whoop whoop"

 
At Tue Oct 10, 11:57:00 AM PDT, Blogger Bobby said...

There it is.

 
At Wed Oct 11, 06:39:00 AM PDT, Blogger Lorie said...

:)

Who exactly was Kipling? I COULD look it up, but... All I know is it's a bar downtown... :)

 
At Wed Oct 11, 08:13:00 AM PDT, Blogger Bobby said...

Oh, King. Rudyard Kipling was a fine poet and author.

Perhaps you've heard of "The Jungle Books?" That's Kipling.

 
At Wed Oct 11, 09:22:00 AM PDT, Blogger Lorie said...

Oh, YEAH...

 

Post a Comment

<< Home