Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/786

 ?68 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

THE BELLS AND QUEEN VICTORIA

1911

f^AY go up and gay go down

7 To ring the Bells of London Town" When London Town's asleep in bed You II hear the Bells ring overhead.

In ex eels is gloria !

Ringing for Victoria, Ringing for their mighty mistress ten years dead !

THE BELLS:

Here is more gain than Gloriana guessed

That Gloriana guessed or Indies bring Than golden Indies bring. A Queen confessed

A Queen confessed that crowned her people King. Her people King, and crowned all Kings above,

Above all Kings have crowned their Queen their love Have crowned their love their Queen, their Queen their love!

Denying her, we do ourselves deny,

Disowning her are we ourselves disowned.

Mirror was she of our fidelity, And handmaid of our destiny enthroned;

The very marrow of Youth's dream, and still

Yoke-mate of wisest Age that worked her will !

Our fathers had declared to us her praise

Her praise the years had proven past all speech,

And past all speech our loyal hearts always, Always our hearts lay open, each to each

Therefore men gave their treasure and their blood

To this one woman for she understood!