Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/709

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 691

Now the fall was ordained from the first

With the Goat and the Cliff and the Tarn,

But the Stone

Knows only her life is accursed

As she sinks from the light of the Sun

And alone!

Oh Thou Who has builded the World, Oh Thou Who has lighted the Sun, Oh Thou Who has darkened the Tarn, Judge Thou

The sin of the Stone that was hurled By the goat from the light of the Sun, As she sinks in the mire of the Tarn, Even now even now even now!

SONG OF THE RED WAR-BOAT

(A. D. 683)

gHOVE off from the wharf-edge ! Steady !

Watch for a smooth! Give way! If she feels the lop already She'll stand on her head in the bay. It's ebb it's dusk it's blowing The shoals are a mile of white, But (snatch her along!) we're going To find our master to-night.

For we hold that in all disaster Of shipwreck, storm, or sword, A Man must stand by his Master When once he has pledged his word.