Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/649

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 188S-1918 631

Once there was The People Terror gave it birth; Once there was The People and it made a Hell of Earth. Earth arose and crushed it. Listen, ye slain! Once there was The People /'/ shall never be again !

"OUR FATHERS OF OLD"

JTXCELLENT herbs had our fathers of old- Excellent herbs to ease their pain Alexanders and Marigold,

Eyebright, Orris, and Elecampane. Basil, Rocket, Valerian, Rue,

(Almost singing themselves they run) Vervain, Dittany, Call-me-to-you Cowslip, Melilot, Rose cf the Sun. Anything green that grew out of the mould Was an excellent herb to our fathers of old.

Wonderful tales had our fathers of old

Wonderful tales of the herbs and the stars The Sun was Lord of the Marigold,

Basil and Rocket belonged to Mars. Pat as a sum in division it goes

(Every herb had a planet bespoke) Who but Venus should govern the Rose?

Who but Jupiter own the Oak?

Simply and gravely the facts are told

In the wonderful books of our fathers of old.

Wonderful little, when all is said, Wonderful little our fathers knew.

Half their remedies cured you dead

Most of their teaching was quite untrue