Recessional
(A
Victorian Ode)
By Rudyard Kipling
God of our fathers,
known of old --
Lord of our far-flung
battle line --
Beneath whose awful hand
we hold
Dominion over palm and
pine --
Lord 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 Hosts, be
with us yet,
Lest we forget -- lest
we forget!
Far-called our navies
melt away --
On dune and headland
sinks the fire --
Lo, all our pomp of
yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and
Tyre!
Judge of the Nations,
spare us yet,
Lest we forget -- lest
we forget!
If, drunk with sight of
power, we loose
Wild tongues that have
not Thee in awe --
Such boastings as the
Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without
the Law --
Lord God of Hosts, be
with us yet,
Lest we forget -- lest
we forget!
For heathen heart that
puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron
shard --
All valiant dust that
builds on dust,
And guarding calls not
Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and
foolish word,
Thy Mercy on Thy People,
Lord!
Amen.
But the man who makes me
his refuge
will inherit the land
and possess my holy
mountain.
(Isaiah 57:13)
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