Rudyard Kipling

The Years Between Rudyard Kipling

Book Excerpt: ... Terrible with strength renewed from a tireless soil; Strictest judge of her own worth, gentlest of man's mind, First to face the Truth and last to leave old Truths behind-- France, beloved of every soul that loves or serves its kind!'FOR ALL WE HAVE AND ARE'1914. For all we have and are, For all our children's fate, Stand up and take the war, The Hun is at the gate!Our world has passed away, In wantonness o'erthrown. There is nothing left to-dayBut steel and fire and stone!Though all we knew depart, The old Commandments stand: --'In courage keep your heart, In strength lift up your hand.'Once more we hear the wordThat sickened earth of old: --'No law except the SwordUnsheathed and uncontrolled.'Once more it knits mankind, Once more the nations goTo meet and break and bindA crazed and driven foe. Comfort, content, delight, The ages' slow-bough