Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/53

Rh  Maidens of your charity,

Pity my most luckless state.

Four times Cupid's debtor I—

Bankrupt in quadruplicate.

Yet, despite this evil case,

An a maiden showed me grace,

Four-and-forty times would I

Sing the Lover's Litany:—

"Love like ours can never die!"

 A BALLAD OF BURIAL

"Saint Praxed's ever was the Church for peace."

F DOWN here I chance to die,

Solemnly I beg you take

All that is left of "I"

To the Hills for old sake's sake.

Pack me very thoroughly

In the ice that used to slake

Pegs I drank when I was dry—

This observe for old sake's sake.

To the railway station hie,

There a single ticket take

For Umballa—goods-train—I

Shall not mind delay or shake.

I shall rest contentedly

Spite of clamour coolies make;

Thus in state and dignity

Send me up for old sake's sake.

