Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/447

 And the dead child dripped on her breast, And her own in the shroud lay stark; And "God forgive us, mother," she said, "We let it die in the dark!"

AREWELL, Romance! the Cave-men said; "With bone well carved he went away, "Flint arms the ignoble arrowhead, "And jasper tips the spear to-day. "Changed are the Gods of Hunt and Dance, "And He with these. Farewell, Romance!"

"Farewell, Romance!" the Lake-folk sighed; "We lift the weight of flatting years; "The caverns of the mountain-side "Hold Him who scorns our hutted piers. "Lost hills whereby we dare not dwell, "Guard ye His rest. Romance, Farewell!"

"Farewell, Romance!" the Soldier spoke; "By sleight of sword we may not win, "But scuffle 'mid uncleanly smoke "Of arquebus and culverin. "Honour is lost, and none may tell "Who paid good blows. Romance, farewell!"

"Farewell, Romance!" the Traders cried; "Our keels have lain with every sea; "The dull-returning wind and tide "Heave up the wharf where we would be; "The known and noted breezes swell "Our trudging sails. Romance, farewell!"