Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/230

 How shall he clear himself, how reach

Your bar or weighed defence prefer—

A brother hedged with alien speech

And lacking all interpreter?

Which knowledge vexes him a space;

But, while Reproof around him rings,

He turns a keen untroubled face

Home, to the instant need of things.

Enslaved, illogical, elate,

He greets the embarrassed Gods, nor fears

To shake the iron hand of Fate

Or match with Destiny for beers.

Lo, imperturbable he rules,

Unkempt, disreputable, vast—

And, in the teeth of all the schools,

I—I shall save him at the last!



THE CHOICE

1917

The American Spirit speaks:

O the Judge of Right and Wrong

With Whom fulfilment lies

Our purpose and our power belong,

Our faith and sacrifice.

