Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/463

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 445

UNKNOWN FEMALE CORPSE

Headless, lacking foot and hand, Horrible I come to land. I beseech all women's sons Know I was a mother once.

RAPED AND REVENGED

One used and butchered me: another spied Me broken for which thing an hundred died. So it was learned among the heathen hosts How much a freeborn woman's favour costs.

SALONIKAN GRAVE

I have watched a thousand days

Push out and crawl into night

Slowly as tortoises.

Now I, too, follow these.

It is fever, and not the fight

Time, not battle that slays.

THE BRIDEGROOM

Call me not false, beloved,

If, from thy scarce-known breast

So little time removed, In other arms I rest.

For this more ancient bride Whom coldly I embrace

Was constant at my side Before I saw thy face.