Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/584

 566 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

Yew that is old in churchyard-mould,

He breedeth a mighty bow. Alder for shoes do wise men choose,

And beech for cups also. But when ye have killed, and your bowl is spilled,

And your shoes are clean outworn, Back ye must speed for all that ye need,

To Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!

Ellum she hateth mankind, and waiteth

Till every gust be laid, To drop a limb on the head of him

That anyway trusts her shade: But whether a lad be sober or sad,

Or mellow with ale from the horn, He will take no wrong when he lieth along

'Neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!

Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight,

Or he would call it a sin; But we have been out in the woods all night,

A-conjuring Summer in! And we bring you news by word of mouth

Good news for cattle and corn Now is the Sun come up from the South,

With Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!

Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs (All of a Midsummer morn) !

England shall bide till Judgment Tide, By Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!