Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/270

 Oh, the toil we lost and the spoil we lost

And the excellent things we planned

Belong to the woman who didn't know why

(And now we know that she never knew why)

And did not understand!

The fool was stripped to his foolish hide

(Even as you and I!)

Which she might have seen when she threw him aside—

(But it isn't on record the lady tried)

So some of him lived but the most of him died—

(Even as you and I !)

"And it isn't the shame and it isn't the blame

That stings like a white hot brand—

It's coming to know that she never knew why

(Seeing, at last, she could never know why)

And never could understand!"



THE ENGLISH FLAG

1891

Above the portico a flag-staff bearing the Union Jack, remained fluttering in the flames for some time, but ultimately when it fell the crowds rent the air with shouts, and seemed to see significance in the incident.

INDS of the World, give answer! They are whimpering to and fro—

And what should they know of England who only England know?—

The poor little street-bred people that vapour and fume and brag,

They are lifting their heads in the stillness to yelp at the English Flag!

