Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/156

142 That drops the tackle with the gut adry.

Too much—too little—there's your salmon lost!

And so I tell you nothing—wish you luck,

And wonder—how I wonder!—for your sake

And triumph for my own. You're young, you're young,

You hold to half a hundred Shibboleths.

I'm old. I followed Power to the last,

Gave her my best, and Power followed Me.

It's worth it—on my soul I'm speaking plain,

Here by the claret glasses!—worth it all.

I gave—no matter what I gave—I win.

I know I win. Mine's work, good work that lives!

A country twice the size of France—the North

Safeguarded. That's my record: sink the rest

And better if you can. The Rains may serve,

Rupees may rise—threepence will give you Fame—

It's rash to hope for sixpence—If they rise

Get guns, more guns, and lift the salt-tax.

Oh!

I told you what the Congress meant or thought?

I'll answer nothing. Half a year will prove

The full extent of time and thought you'll spare

To Congress. Ask a Lady Doctor once