In the Neolithic Age savage warfare did I wageFor food and fame and woolly horses' pelt.I was singer to my clan in that dim, red Dawn of Man,And I sang of all we fought and feared and felt. Yea, I sang as now I sing, when the Prehistoric springMade the piled Biscayan ice-pack split and … Continue reading Poetry – “In the Neolithic Age”
Rudyard Kipling
Poem – “The Female of the Species”
When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride, He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside. But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail. For the female of the species is more deadly than the male. When Nag the basking cobra hears … Continue reading Poem – “The Female of the Species”
Songs at the Heights of Empire
In 17 B.C., having brought peace and prosperity to the whole Roman Empire after centuries of non-stop war, revolution, and upheaval, having, indeed, brought peace to the Mediterranean world for the first time since man began to live there, Caesar Augustus decreed the holding of the Secular Games: six days of athletics, entertainment, and religious … Continue reading Songs at the Heights of Empire
“Six Honest Serving Men” – Poem
I keep six honest serving-men(They taught me all I knew);Their names are What and Why and WhenAnd How and Where and Who.I send them over land and sea,I send them east and west;But after they have worked for me,I give them all a rest. I let them rest from nine till five,For I am busy … Continue reading “Six Honest Serving Men” – Poem
Poem – “Recessional”
God of our fathers, known of old,Lord of our far-flung battle-line,Beneath whose awful Hand we holdDominion over palm and pineLord God of Hosts be with us yet,Lest we forget - lest we forget! The tumult and the shouting dies;The Captains and the Kings depart:Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,An humble and a contrite heart.Lord God of … Continue reading Poem – “Recessional”
Poem – “Brown Bess”
In the days of lace-ruffles, perukes and brocadeBrown Bess was a partner whom none could despise –An out-spoken, flinty-lipped, brazen-faced jade,With a habit of looking men straight in the eyes –At Blenheim and Ramillies fops would confessThey were pierced to the heart by the charms of Brown Bess. Though her sight was not long and … Continue reading Poem – “Brown Bess”
Poem – “The Beginnings”
It was not part of their blood,It came to them very lateWith long arrears to make good,When the English began to hate. They were not easily moved,They were icy-willing to waitTill every count should be proved,Ere the English began to hate. Their voices were even and low,Their eyes were level and straight.There was neither sign … Continue reading Poem – “The Beginnings”
Poem – “Outsong of the Jungle”
BALOOFor the sake of him who showedOne wise Frog the Jungle-Road,Keep the Law the Man-Pack makeFor thy blind old Baloo's sake!Clean or tainted, hot or stale,Hold it as it were the Trail,Through the day and through the night,Questing neither left nor right.For the sake of him who lovesThee beyond all else that moves,When thy Pack … Continue reading Poem – “Outsong of the Jungle”
Poem – “An American”
(The American Spirit speaks:) IF the Led Striker call it a strike,Or the papers call it a war,They know not much what I am like,Nor what he is, my Avatar. Through many roads, by me possessed,He shambles forth in cosmic guise;He is the Jester and the Jest,And he the Text himself applies. The Celt is … Continue reading Poem – “An American”
Poem – “Kaa’s Hunting”
His spots are the joy of the Leopard: his horns are the Buffalo's pride.Be clean, for the strength of the hunter is known by the gloss of his hide.If ye find that the bullock can toss you, or the heavy-browed Sambhur can gore;Ye need not stop work to inform us: we knew it ten seasons … Continue reading Poem – “Kaa’s Hunting”
Serpent's Den 