Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/397

 Once more it knits mankind, Once more the nations go To meet and break and bind A crazed and driven foe.

Comfort, content, delight, The ages' slow-bought gain, They shrivelled in a night. Only ourselves remain To face the naked days In silent fortitude, Through perils and dismays Renewed and re-renewed. Though all we made depart, The old Commandments stand: "In patience keep your heart, In strength lift up your hand."

No easy hope or lies Shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice Of body, will, and soul. There is but one task for all One life for each to give. What stands if Freedom fall? Who dies if England live?

ULL thirty foot she towered from waterline to rail. It cost a watch to steer her, and a week to shorten sail; But, spite all modern notions, I've found her first and best The only certain packet for the Islands of the Blest.