Front matter
Reading edition
A SONG OF THE ENGLISH THE COASTWISE LIGHTS THE SONG OF THE DEAD THE DEEP-SEA CABLES THE SONG OF THE SONS THE SONG OF THE CITIES ENGLAND’S ANSWER
CAME THE WHISPER, CAME THE VISION. Came the Whisper, came the Vision, came the Power with the Need, Till the Soul that is not man’s soul was lent us to lead.
A SONG OF THE ENGLISH
BY RUDYARD KIPLING
illustrated by W. HEATH ROBINSON
Hodder & Stoughton, London
This Edition of ‘A Song of the English’ is reprinted from ‘The Seven Seas,’ and the Publishers desire to acknowledge the courtesy of Messrs. Methuen & Co. in consenting to its issue as a separate volume
A SONG OF THE ENGLISH
Fair is our lot—O goodly is our heritage! (Humble ye, my people, and be fearful in your mirth!) For the Lord our God Most High He hath made the deep as dry, He hath smote for us a pathway to the ends of all the Earth!
Yea, though we sinned—and our rulers went from righteousness— Deep in all dishonour though we stained our garments’ hem. Oh be ye not dismayed, Though we stumbled and we strayed, We were led by evil counsellors—the Lord shall deal with them!
Hold ye the Faith—the Faith our Fathers sealèd us; Whoring not with visions—overwise and over-stale. Except ye pay the Lord Single heart and single sword, Of your children in their bondage shall He ask them treble-tale!
Keep ye the Law—be swift in all obedience— Clear the land of evil, drive the road and bridge the ford. Make ye sure to each his own That he reap where he hath sown; By the peace among Our peoples let men know we serve the Lord!
Hear now a song—a song of broken interludes— A song of little cunning; of a singer nothing worth. Through the naked words and mean May ye see the truth between As the singer knew and touched it in the ends of all the Earth!
