Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/395

Rh Brethren, how must it fare with me,

Or how am I justified,

If it be proven that I am he

For whom mankind has died—

If it be proven that I am he

Who, being questioned, denied?



RECESSIONAL

1897

of our fathers, known of old,

Lord of our far-flung battle-line,

Beneath whose awful Hand we hold

Dominion over palm and pine—

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;

The Captains and the Kings depart:

Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,

An humble and a contrite heart.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;

On dune and headland sinks the fire:

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,

Lest we forget—lest we forget!

