Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/592

 574 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

Allow me the hunting of Man

The chase of the Human, the search for the Soul

To its ruin the hunting of Man.

Pig-

"Stopped in the straight when the race was his own Look at him cutting it cur to the bone!" Ask ere the youngster be rated and chidden What did he carry and how was he ridden ? Maybe they used him too much at the start. Maybe Fate's weight-cloths are breaking his heart.

In the Pride of his Youth.

"And some are sulky, while some will plunge. (So ho ! Steady ! Stand still, you /) Some you must gentle, and some you must lunge. (There ! There ! Who wants to kill you .?) Some there are losses in every trade Will break their hearts ere bitted and made, W 7 ill fight like fiends as the rope cuts hard, And die dumb-mad in the breaking-yard."

Thrown Away,

The World hath set its heavy yoke Upon the old white-bearded folk Who strive to please the King. God's mercy is upon the young, God's wisdom in the baby tongue That fears not anything.

Tod's Amendment.

Not though you die to-night, O Sweet, and wail,

A spectre at my door,

Shall mortal Fear make Love immortal fail

I shall but love you more,

Who, from Death's House returning, give me still

One moment's comfort in my matchless ill.

By Word of Mouth.