Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/394

 The last time that Peter deniéd his Lord,

The Father took from him the Keys and the Sword,

And the Mother and Babe brake his Kingdom in two,

When the cock crew—when the cock crew—

(Because of his wickedness) when the cock crew!



1916

, how shall it fare with me

When the war is laid aside,

If it be proven that I am he

For whom a world has died?

If it be proven that all my good,

And the greater good I will make,

Were purchased me by a multitude

Who suffered for my sake?

That I was delivered by mere mankind

Vowed to one sacrifice,

And not, as I hold them, battle-blind,

But dying with open eyes?

That they did not ask me to draw the sword

When they stood to endure their lot—

That they only looked to me for a word,

And I answered I knew them not?

If it be found, when the battle clears,

Their death has set me free,

Then how shall I live with myself through the years

Which they have bought for me?

