Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/597

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 579

A CAROL

UR Lord Who did the Ox command

To kneel to Judah's King, He binds His frost upon the land

To ripen it for Spring To ripen it for Spring, good sirs,

According to His Word. Which well must be as ye can see

And who shall judge the Lord?

When we poor fenmen skate the ice

Or shiver on the wold, We hear the cry of a single tree

That breaks her heart in the cold That breaks her heart in the cold, good sirs,

And rendeth by the board. Which well must be as ye can see

And who shall judge the Lord?

Her wood is crazed and little worth

Excepting as to burn, That we may warm and make our mirth

Until the Spring return Until the Spring return, good sirs,

When Christians walk abroad; Which well must be as ye can see

And who shall judge the Lord?

God bless the master of this house, And all who sleep therein!

And guard the fens from pirate folk, And keep us all from sin,