Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/746

 The Ballad of Kiplingson

(An English poet and journalist, 1841-1901, who through his lifetime fought valiantly against militarism and imperialism. See pages 367, 412, 687)

There came a knock at the Heavenly Gate, where the good St. Peter sat,— "Hi, open the door, you fellah there, to a British rat-tat-tat!"

The Saint sat up in his chair, rubbed eyes, and prick'd his holy ears, "Who's there?" he muttered, "a single man, or a regiment of Grenadiers?"

"A single man," the voice replied, "but one of prodigious size, Who claims by Jingo, his patron Saint, the entry to Paradise!"

The good St. Peter open'd the Gate, but blocking the entry scan'd The spectacled ghost of a little man, with an infant's flag in his hand

"Wot! haven't you heard of Kiplingson? whose name and fame have spread As far as the Flag of England waves, and the Tory prints are read?