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 reprintedfrom ‘The Seven Seas,’ and the Publishers desire toacknowledge 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;