Page:Rewards and Fairies (Kipling, 1910).djvu/50

28 Yet his King made answer (few such Kings there be!)

'Here is Bread and here is Wine—sit and sup with me.

Eat and drink in Mary's name, the whiles I do recall

How Iron—Cold Iron—can be master of men all!'

He took the Wine and blessed It; He blessed and brake the Bread

With His own Hands He served Them, and presently He said:

'Look! These Hands they pierced with nails outside My city wall

Show Iron—Cold Iron—to be master of men all!

'Wounds are for the desperate, blows are for the strong,

Balm and oil for weary hearts all cut and bruised with wrong.

I forgive thy treason—I redeem thy fall—

For Iron—Cold Iron—must be master of men all!'

&apos;Crowns are for the valiant—sceptres for the bold!

Thrones and powers for mighty men who dare to take and hold.'

'Nay!' said the Baron, kneeling in his hall,

'But Iron—Cold Iron—is master of man all!'