The Masonic The Masonic Poetry of Rudyard Poetry of Rudyard

KiplingKiplingAn Appreciation by John An Appreciation by John

DaviesDavies

Presented to Lodge St Michael Presented to Lodge St Michael

No. 2933No. 2933

A Brief BiographyA Brief Biography1865 - Kipling is born in Bombay, India.1865 - Kipling is born in Bombay, India.1871 - Kipling and his younger sister Alice 1871 - Kipling and his younger sister Alice

are separated from their parents are separated from their parents and sent to England to be educated.and sent to England to be educated.

1878 - Kipling enters public school in 1878 - Kipling enters public school in North Devon. North Devon.

1882 - Kipling ends his formal education 1882 - Kipling ends his formal education and returns to India to become a and returns to India to become a trainee journalist. trainee journalist.

1886 - Publication of 1886 - Publication of Departmental Departmental DittiesDitties. Kipling begins to make a name . Kipling begins to make a name for himself as a young writer of some for himself as a young writer of some repute. repute.

1887 - 1887 - Soldiers Three, In Black and White, Soldiers Three, In Black and White, The Phantom Rickshaw, Wee Willie The Phantom Rickshaw, Wee Willie Winkle, The Story of the GadsbysWinkle, The Story of the Gadsbys, and , and the stories later collected in the stories later collected in The Smith The Smith AdministrationAdministration, , The City of Dreadful The City of Dreadful Night,Night, and and Letters of MarqueLetters of Marque, were all , were all written and publishedwritten and published. .

Masonic CareerMasonic Career

On 5th April 1886 He was initiated a Freemason in the Lodge Hope and Perseverance, No. 782, E.C., at On 5th April 1886 He was initiated a Freemason in the Lodge Hope and Perseverance, No. 782, E.C., at Lahore, by dispensation from the District Grand Master, Kipling being only 20 years old at the time.Lahore, by dispensation from the District Grand Master, Kipling being only 20 years old at the time.

His proposer was Wor. Bro. Colonel 0. Menzies; he was seconded by Bro. C. Brown. He was initiated by His proposer was Wor. Bro. Colonel 0. Menzies; he was seconded by Bro. C. Brown. He was initiated by the W.M., Bro. Colonel G. B. Wolseley.the W.M., Bro. Colonel G. B. Wolseley.

He was passed on May 3rd following, there being only seven Brethren present, and raised on the 6th He was passed on May 3rd following, there being only seven Brethren present, and raised on the 6th December, 1886. December, 1886.

He was for a short time Secretary of the Lodge.He was for a short time Secretary of the Lodge. In 1887 Kipling became a Mark Master and a Royal Ark Mariner.In 1887 Kipling became a Mark Master and a Royal Ark Mariner. Having left Lahore to reside at Allahabad, on April 17th, 1888, he became a member of the old Lodge, Having left Lahore to reside at Allahabad, on April 17th, 1888, he became a member of the old Lodge,

"Independence with Philanthropy," Allahabad. In March, 1889, he was put on the absent list of that Lodge, "Independence with Philanthropy," Allahabad. In March, 1889, he was put on the absent list of that Lodge, and resigned in 1895 from America where he was then residing. and resigned in 1895 from America where he was then residing.

From the time he finally left India for the last time in 1889 to his death in 1936 there are few records of From the time he finally left India for the last time in 1889 to his death in 1936 there are few records of him attending lodge, although he was an elected honorary member of several English, and especially him attending lodge, although he was an elected honorary member of several English, and especially Sussex lodges.Sussex lodges.

In 1918 he was elected member of the Correspondence Circle of Qautuor Coronati Lodge no. 2076 but In 1918 he was elected member of the Correspondence Circle of Qautuor Coronati Lodge no. 2076 but there are no records of him presenting any papers .there are no records of him presenting any papers .

His active participation in regular organised freemasonry effectively ended when he left India for the last His active participation in regular organised freemasonry effectively ended when he left India for the last time aged twenty five.time aged twenty five.

1889 - Kipling returns to London and embarks upon a 1889 - Kipling returns to London and embarks upon a decade of rising fame and extreme productivitydecade of rising fame and extreme productivity. . Kim, The Jungle Book, Stalky and Co., Captain’s Kim, The Jungle Book, Stalky and Co., Captain’s Courageous , The Seven SeasCourageous , The Seven Seas and and The DaysThe Days WorkWork are all published to great success. are all published to great success.

1891- Marries Caroline Balestier and emigrates to the 1891- Marries Caroline Balestier and emigrates to the USA USA

1899 - Death of first born child, Josephine, in New York. 1899 - Death of first born child, Josephine, in New York. 1900 - Begins sojourn in South Africa. Becomes leading 1900 - Begins sojourn in South Africa. Becomes leading

proponent of the Boer War. proponent of the Boer War. 1907 - Wins Nobel Prize1907 - Wins Nobel Prize1908 - Greatly disillusioned by the Liberal governments 1908 - Greatly disillusioned by the Liberal governments

policy in South Africa, Kipling returns to England. policy in South Africa, Kipling returns to England. 1914 - World War one begins. Kipling believes his long-1914 - World War one begins. Kipling believes his long-

held suspicion of the Germans has been justified. held suspicion of the Germans has been justified. He once more becomes an enthusiastic proponent He once more becomes an enthusiastic proponent of the British war effort. of the British war effort.

1915 - Kipling’s 18 year old son John disappears in 1915 - Kipling’s 18 year old son John disappears in battle. Kipling never really recovers from the loss. battle. Kipling never really recovers from the loss. Kipling is diagnosed with the ailments that would Kipling is diagnosed with the ailments that would later kill him. later kill him.

1936 - Rudyard Kipling dies. 1936 - Rudyard Kipling dies. 1937 - 1937 - Something of MyselfSomething of Myself, Kipling’s sketchy collection , Kipling’s sketchy collection

of autobiographical writings is published. of autobiographical writings is published.

The Mother-Lodge (The Mother-Lodge (FromFrom Barrack Room Barrack Room Ballads)Ballads)

THERETHERE was Rundle, Station Master, was Rundle, Station Master,     An’ Beazeley of the Rail,     An’ Beazeley of the Rail,An’ ’Ackman, Commissariat,An’ ’Ackman, Commissariat,     An’ Donkin’ o’ the Jail;     An’ Donkin’ o’ the Jail;An’ Blake, Conductor-Sargent,An’ Blake, Conductor-Sargent,     Our Master twice was ’e,     Our Master twice was ’e,With ’im that kept the Europe-shop,With ’im that kept the Europe-shop,     Old Framjee Eduljee.      Old Framjee Eduljee.

Outside—“Sergeant! Sir! Salute! Salaam!”Outside—“Sergeant! Sir! Salute! Salaam!”Inside—“Brother”, an’ it doesn’t do no ’arm.Inside—“Brother”, an’ it doesn’t do no ’arm.We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!

We’d Bola Nath, Accountant,We’d Bola Nath, Accountant,     An’ Saul the Aden Jew,     An’ Saul the Aden Jew,An’ Din Mohammed, draughtsmanAn’ Din Mohammed, draughtsman     Of the Survey Office too;     Of the Survey Office too;There was Babu Chuckerbutty,There was Babu Chuckerbutty,     An’ Amir Singh the Sikh,     An’ Amir Singh the Sikh,An’ Castro from the fittin’-sheds,An’ Castro from the fittin’-sheds,     The Roman Catholick!     The Roman Catholick!

We ’adn’t good regalia,We ’adn’t good regalia,     An’ our Lodge was old an’ bare,     An’ our Lodge was old an’ bare,But we knew the Ancient Landmarks,But we knew the Ancient Landmarks,     An’ we kep’ ’em to a hair;     An’ we kep’ ’em to a hair;An’ lookin’ on it backwardsAn’ lookin’ on it backwards     It often strikes me thus,     It often strikes me thus,There ain’t such things as infidels,There ain’t such things as infidels,     Excep’, per’aps, it’s us.      Excep’, per’aps, it’s us.

For monthly, after Labour,For monthly, after Labour,     We’d all sit down and smoke     We’d all sit down and smoke(We dursn’t give no banquits,(We dursn’t give no banquits,     Lest a Brother’s caste were broke),     Lest a Brother’s caste were broke),An’ man on man got talkin’An’ man on man got talkin’     Religion an’ the rest,     Religion an’ the rest,An’ every man comparin’An’ every man comparin’     Of the God ’e knew the best.      Of the God ’e knew the best.

So man on man got talkin’,So man on man got talkin’,     An’ not a Brother stirred     An’ not a Brother stirredTill mornin’ waked the parrotsTill mornin’ waked the parrots     An’ that dam’ brain-fever-bird;     An’ that dam’ brain-fever-bird;We’d say ’twas ’ighly curious,We’d say ’twas ’ighly curious,     An’ we’d all ride ’ome to bed,     An’ we’d all ride ’ome to bed,With Mo’ammed, God, an’ ShivaWith Mo’ammed, God, an’ Shiva     Changin’ pickets in our ’ead.      Changin’ pickets in our ’ead.

Full oft on Guv’ment serviceFull oft on Guv’ment service     This rovin’ foot ’ath pressed,     This rovin’ foot ’ath pressed,An’ bore fraternal greetin’sAn’ bore fraternal greetin’s     To the Lodges east an’ west,     To the Lodges east an’ west,Accordin’ as commandedAccordin’ as commanded     From Kohat to Singapore,     From Kohat to Singapore,But I wish that I might see themBut I wish that I might see them     In my Mother-Lodge once more!      In my Mother-Lodge once more!

I wish that I might see them,I wish that I might see them,     My Brethren black an’ brown,     My Brethren black an’ brown,With the trichies smellin’ pleasantWith the trichies smellin’ pleasant     An’ the      An’ the hog-darnhog-darn passin’ down; passin’ down;An’ the old An’ the old khansamahkhansamah snorin’ snorin’     On the      On the bottle-bottle-khanakhana floor, floor,Like a Master in good standingLike a Master in good standing     With my Mother-Lodge once more!      With my Mother-Lodge once more!

Outside—“Sergeant! Sir! Salute! Salaam!”Outside—“Sergeant! Sir! Salute! Salaam!”Inside—“Brother”, an’ it doesn’t do no ’arm.Inside—“Brother”, an’ it doesn’t do no ’arm.We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the We met upon the Level an’ we parted on the Square,Square,An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there!out there!

L’EnvoiL’Envoi to to The Seven SeasThe Seven Seas

When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,twisted and dried,When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic has died,has died,We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it -- lie down for an We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it -- lie down for an aeon or two,aeon or two,Till the Master of All Good Workmen shall put us to work Till the Master of All Good Workmen shall put us to work anew!anew!

And those that were good shall be happy: they shall sit in a And those that were good shall be happy: they shall sit in a golden chair;golden chair;They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comets' hair;comets' hair;They shall find real saints to draw from -- Magdalene, Peter, They shall find real saints to draw from -- Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;and Paul;They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!all!

And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;shall blame;And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,fame,But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,separate star,Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They Are!They Are!

My new-cut ashlar (L’Envoi My new-cut ashlar (L’Envoi to to Life’s Handicap)Life’s Handicap)

My new-cut ashlar takes the lightMy new-cut ashlar takes the lightWhere crimson-blank the windows Where crimson-blank the windows flare.flare.By my own work before the night,By my own work before the night,Great Overseer, I make my prayer.Great Overseer, I make my prayer.

If there be good in that I wroughtIf there be good in that I wroughtThy Hand compelled it, Master, Thine--Thy Hand compelled it, Master, Thine--Where I have failed to meet Thy Where I have failed to meet Thy ThoughtThoughtI know, through Thee, the blame was I know, through Thee, the blame was mine.mine.

One instant's toil to Thee deniedOne instant's toil to Thee deniedStands all Eternity's offence.Stands all Eternity's offence.Of that I did with Thee to guide,Of that I did with Thee to guide,To Thee, through Thee, be excellence. To Thee, through Thee, be excellence.

The depth and dream of my desire,The depth and dream of my desire,The bitter paths wherein I stray--The bitter paths wherein I stray--Thou knowest Who has made the Fire,Thou knowest Who has made the Fire,Thou knowest Who has made the Clay.Thou knowest Who has made the Clay.

Who, lest all thought of Eden fade,Who, lest all thought of Eden fade,Bring'st Eden to the craftsman's Bring'st Eden to the craftsman's brain--brain--Godlike to muse oÕer his own Godlike to muse oÕer his own TradeTradeAnd manlike to stand with God And manlike to stand with God again!again!

One stone the more swings into One stone the more swings into placeplaceIn that dread Temple of Thy worth.In that dread Temple of Thy worth.It is enough that, through Thy It is enough that, through Thy Grace,Grace,I saw nought common on Thy Earth.I saw nought common on Thy Earth.

Take not that vision from my ken--Take not that vision from my ken--Oh, whatsoe'er may spoil or speed,Oh, whatsoe'er may spoil or speed,Help me to need no aid from menHelp me to need no aid from menThat I many help such men as That I many help such men as needneed!!

Be’old a crowd upon the beam,Be’old a crowd upon the beam,     An’ ’umped above the sea      An’ ’umped above the sea appearsappears Old Aden, like a barrick-stove Old Aden, like a barrick-stove     That no one’s lit for years an’      That no one’s lit for years an’ years!years!

(Extract from (Extract from For to AdmireFor to Admire))

The DerelictThe DerelictI WASI WAS the staunchest of our fleet the staunchest of our fleet    Till the sea rose beneath our feet    Till the sea rose beneath our feet

Unheralded, in hatred past all measure.Unheralded, in hatred past all measure.    Into his pits he stamped my crew,    Into his pits he stamped my crew,

    Buffeted, blinded, bound and threw,    Buffeted, blinded, bound and threw,Bidding me eyeless wait upon his pleasure.Bidding me eyeless wait upon his pleasure.

Man made me, and my willMan made me, and my will     Is to my maker still,     Is to my maker still,

Whom now the currents con, the rollers steer— Whom now the currents con, the rollers steer—     Lifting forlorn to spy     Lifting forlorn to spy

         Trailed smoke along the sky,         Trailed smoke along the sky, Falling afraid lest any keel come near! Falling afraid lest any keel come near!

Wrenched as the lips of thirst,Wrenched as the lips of thirst,Wried, dried, and split and burst,Wried, dried, and split and burst,

Bone-bleached my decks, wind-scoured to the graining;Bone-bleached my decks, wind-scoured to the graining;     And jarred at every roll     And jarred at every roll

  The gear that was my soul  The gear that was my soul Answers the anguish of my beams’ complaining. Answers the anguish of my beams’ complaining.

For life that crammed me full,For life that crammed me full,         Gangs of the prying gull         Gangs of the prying gull

That shriek and scrabble on the riven hatches! That shriek and scrabble on the riven hatches!         For roar that dumbed the gale,         For roar that dumbed the gale,         My hawse-pipes guttering wail,         My hawse-pipes guttering wail,

Sobbing my heart out through the uncounted watches! Sobbing my heart out through the uncounted watches!

Blind in the hot blue ringBlind in the hot blue ring         Through all my points I swing—         Through all my points I swing—

Swing and return to shift the sun anew. Swing and return to shift the sun anew.         Blind in my well-known sky         Blind in my well-known sky

         I hear the stars go by,         I hear the stars go by, Mocking the prow that cannot hold one true! Mocking the prow that cannot hold one true!

White on my wasted pathWhite on my wasted pathWave after wave in wrathWave after wave in wrath

Frets ’gainst his fellow, warring where to send Frets ’gainst his fellow, warring where to send me.me.

         Flung forward, heaved aside,         Flung forward, heaved aside,     Witless and dazed I bide     Witless and dazed I bide

The mercy of the comber that shall end me. The mercy of the comber that shall end me.

North where the bergs careen,North where the bergs careen,The spray of seas unseenThe spray of seas unseen

Smokes round my head and freezes in the Smokes round my head and freezes in the falling; falling;

     South where the corals breed,     South where the corals breed,    The footless, floating weed    The footless, floating weed

Folds me and fouls me, strake on strake Folds me and fouls me, strake on strake upcrawling.upcrawling.

I that was clean to runI that was clean to run    My race against the sun—    My race against the sun—

Strength on the deep, am bawd to all disaster— Strength on the deep, am bawd to all disaster—         Whipped forth by night to meet         Whipped forth by night to meet

         My sister’s careless feet,         My sister’s careless feet, And with a kiss betray her to my master! And with a kiss betray her to my master!

Man made me, and my willMan made me, and my will         Is to my maker still—         Is to my maker still—

To him and his, our peoples at their pier: To him and his, our peoples at their pier:         Lifting in hope to spy         Lifting in hope to spy

         Trailed smoke along the sky,         Trailed smoke along the sky, Falling afraid lest any keel come near! Falling afraid lest any keel come near!

‘‘Banquet Night’Banquet Night’

‘‘ONCEONCE in so often,’ King Solomon said, in so often,’ King Solomon said,   Watching his quarrymen drill the stone,   Watching his quarrymen drill the stone,‘We will club our garlic and wine and bread‘We will club our garlic and wine and bread    And banquet together beneath my Throne    And banquet together beneath my ThroneAnd all the Brethren shall come to that messAnd all the Brethren shall come to that messAs Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less. As Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.

‘ ‘Send a swift shallop to Hiram of Tyre,Send a swift shallop to Hiram of Tyre,   Felling and floating our beautiful trees,   Felling and floating our beautiful trees,Say that the Brethren and I desireSay that the Brethren and I desire   Talk with our Brethren who use the seas.   Talk with our Brethren who use the seas.And we shall be happy to meet them at messAnd we shall be happy to meet them at messAs Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less. As Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.

‘ ‘Carry this message to Hiram Abif—Carry this message to Hiram Abif—  Excellent Master of forge and mine:—  Excellent Master of forge and mine:—I and the Brethren would like it ifI and the Brethren would like it if    He and the Brethren will come to dine    He and the Brethren will come to dine(Garments from Bozrah or morning-dress)(Garments from Bozrah or morning-dress)As Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.As Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.

‘ ‘God gave the Hyssop and Cedar their place—God gave the Hyssop and Cedar their place—  Also the Bramble, the Fig and the Thorn—  Also the Bramble, the Fig and the Thorn—But that is no reason to black a man’s faceBut that is no reason to black a man’s face    Because he is not what he hasn’t been born.    Because he is not what he hasn’t been born.And, as touching the Temple, I hold and professAnd, as touching the Temple, I hold and professWe are Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.’We are Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.’

So it was ordered and so it was done,So it was ordered and so it was done,    And the hewers of wood and the Masons of Mark,    And the hewers of wood and the Masons of Mark,With foc’sle hands of the Sidon runWith foc’sle hands of the Sidon run    And Navy Lords from the     And Navy Lords from the Royal ArkRoyal Ark,,Came and sat down and were merry at messCame and sat down and were merry at messAs Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less. As Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.

          And the hewers of wood and the Masons of And the hewers of wood and the Masons of

Mark,Mark,With foc’sle hands of the Sidon runWith foc’sle hands of the Sidon run

    And Navy So it was ordered and so it was     And Navy So it was ordered and so it was done,done,

Lords from the Lords from the Royal ArkRoyal Ark,,Came and sat down and were merry at messCame and sat down and were merry at messAs Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less. As Fellow-Craftsmen—no more and no less.

The Quarries are hotter than Hiram’s forge,The Quarries are hotter than Hiram’s forge, No one is safe from the dog-whips’ reach. No one is safe from the dog-whips’ reach.

It’s mostly snowing up Lebanon gorge,It’s mostly snowing up Lebanon gorge, And it’s always blowing off Joppa beach; And it’s always blowing off Joppa beach;

But once in so often, the messenger bringsBut once in so often, the messenger bringsSolomon’s mandate: ‘Forget these things!Solomon’s mandate: ‘Forget these things!Brother to Beggars and Fellow to Kings,Brother to Beggars and Fellow to Kings,

Companion of Princes—forget these things!Companion of Princes—forget these things!Fellow-Craftsman, forget these things!’Fellow-Craftsman, forget these things!’

IF you can keep your head when all about you IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,But make allowance for their doubting too;But make allowance for their doubting too;If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,Or being hated, don't give way to hating,Or being hated, don't give way to hating,And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;master;If you can think - and not make thoughts your If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;aim;If you can meet with Triumph and DisasterIf you can meet with Triumph and DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same;And treat those two impostors just the same;If you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenIf you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenTwisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And lose, and start again at your beginningsAnd lose, and start again at your beginningsAnd never breathe a word about your loss;And never breathe a word about your loss;If you can force your heart and nerve and sinewIf you can force your heart and nerve and sinewTo serve your turn long after they are gone,To serve your turn long after they are gone,And so hold on when there is nothing in youAnd so hold on when there is nothing in youExcept the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!‘Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!‘

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,If all men count with you, but none too much;If all men count with you, but none too much;If you can fill the unforgiving minuteIf you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds' worth of distance run,With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

A Pilgrim's WayA Pilgrim's Way

I do not look for holy saints to guide me on my way,I do not look for holy saints to guide me on my way,Or male and female devilkins to lead my feet astray.Or male and female devilkins to lead my feet astray.If these are added, I rejoice---if not, I shall not mind,If these are added, I rejoice---if not, I shall not mind,So long as I have leave and choice to meet my So long as I have leave and choice to meet my fellow-kind.fellow-kind.For as we come and as we go (and deadly-soon go For as we come and as we go (and deadly-soon go we!)we!)The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me! me!

Thus I will honour pious men whose virtue shines so Thus I will honour pious men whose virtue shines so brightbright(Though none are more amazed than I when I by (Though none are more amazed than I when I by chance do right),chance do right),And I will pity foolish men for woe their sins have And I will pity foolish men for woe their sins have bredbred(Though ninety-nine per cent. of mine I brought on (Though ninety-nine per cent. of mine I brought on my own head).my own head).And, Amorite or Eremite, or General Averagee,And, Amorite or Eremite, or General Averagee,The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me! me!

And when they bore me overmuch, I will not shake mine And when they bore me overmuch, I will not shake mine ears,ears,Recalling many thousand such whom I have bored to tears.Recalling many thousand such whom I have bored to tears.And when they labour to impress, I will not doubt nor scoff;And when they labour to impress, I will not doubt nor scoff;Since I myself have done no less and---sometimes pulled it Since I myself have done no less and---sometimes pulled it off.off.Yea, as we are and we are not, and we pretend to be,Yea, as we are and we are not, and we pretend to be,The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

And when they work me random wrong, as oftentimes And when they work me random wrong, as oftentimes hath been,hath been,I will not cherish hate too long (my hands are none too I will not cherish hate too long (my hands are none too clean).clean).And when they do me random good I will not feign surprise.And when they do me random good I will not feign surprise.No more than those whom I have cheered with wayside No more than those whom I have cheered with wayside charities.charities.But, as we give and as we take---whate'er our takings be---But, as we give and as we take---whate'er our takings be---The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me! The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

But when I meet with frantic folk who sinfully declareBut when I meet with frantic folk who sinfully declareThere is no pardon for their sin, the same I will not spareThere is no pardon for their sin, the same I will not spareTill I have proved that Heaven and Hell which in our hearts Till I have proved that Heaven and Hell which in our hearts we havewe haveShow nothing irredeemable on either side of the grave.Show nothing irredeemable on either side of the grave.For as we live and as we die---if utter Death there be---For as we live and as we die---if utter Death there be---The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me! The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

Deliver me from every pride---the Middle, High, and Low---Deliver me from every pride---the Middle, High, and Low---That bars me from a brother's side, whatever pride he That bars me from a brother's side, whatever pride he show.show.And purge me from all heresies of thought and speech and And purge me from all heresies of thought and speech and penpenThat bid me judge him otherwise than I am judged. Amen!That bid me judge him otherwise than I am judged. Amen!That I may sing of Crowd or King or road-borne company,That I may sing of Crowd or King or road-borne company,That I may labour in my day, vocation and degree,That I may labour in my day, vocation and degree,To prove the same in deed and name, and hold unshakenlyTo prove the same in deed and name, and hold unshakenly(Where'er I go, whate'er I know, whoe'er my neighbor be)(Where'er I go, whate'er I know, whoe'er my neighbor be)This single faith in Life and Death and to Eternity:This single faith in Life and Death and to Eternity:"The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me”"The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me”

RAHERE, King Henry's jester, feared by all the Norman Lords RAHERE, King Henry's jester, feared by all the Norman Lords For his eye that pierced their bosoms, for his tongue that shamed their swords;For his eye that pierced their bosoms, for his tongue that shamed their swords;Feed and flattered by the Churchmen - well they knew how deep he stoodFeed and flattered by the Churchmen - well they knew how deep he stoodIn dark Henry's crooked counsels - fell upon an evil mood. In dark Henry's crooked counsels - fell upon an evil mood. RahereRahere

Suddenly, his days before him and behind him seemed to stand Suddenly, his days before him and behind him seemed to stand Stripped and barren, fixed and fruitless as those leagues of naked sand Stripped and barren, fixed and fruitless as those leagues of naked sand When St. Michael's ebb slinks outward to the bleak horizon-bound,When St. Michael's ebb slinks outward to the bleak horizon-bound,And the trampling wide-mouthed waters are withdrawn from sight and sound.And the trampling wide-mouthed waters are withdrawn from sight and sound.

Then a Horror of Great Darkness sunk his spirit and anon,Then a Horror of Great Darkness sunk his spirit and anon,(Who had seen him wince and whiten as he turned to walk alone) (Who had seen him wince and whiten as he turned to walk alone) Followed Gilbert the Physician, and muttered in his ear, Followed Gilbert the Physician, and muttered in his ear, "Thou hast it, O my brother?" "Yea, I have it," said Rahere."Thou hast it, O my brother?" "Yea, I have it," said Rahere.

"So it comes," said Gilbert smoothly, "man's most immanent distress."So it comes," said Gilbert smoothly, "man's most immanent distress.'Tis a humour of the Spirit which abhorreth all excess;'Tis a humour of the Spirit which abhorreth all excess;And, whatever breed the surfeit - Wealth, or Wit, or Power, or Fame And, whatever breed the surfeit - Wealth, or Wit, or Power, or Fame (And thou hast each) the Spirit laboureth to expel the same.(And thou hast each) the Spirit laboureth to expel the same.

"Hence the dulled eye's deep self-loathing - hence the loaded leaden brow; "Hence the dulled eye's deep self-loathing - hence the loaded leaden brow; Hence the burden of Wanhope that aches thy soul and body now.Hence the burden of Wanhope that aches thy soul and body now.Ay, the merriest fool must face it, and the wisest Doctor learn;Ay, the merriest fool must face it, and the wisest Doctor learn;For it comes - it comes," said Gilbert, " as it passes - to return."For it comes - it comes," said Gilbert, " as it passes - to return."

But Rahere was in his torment, and he wandered, dumb and far,But Rahere was in his torment, and he wandered, dumb and far,Till he came to reeking Smithfield where the crowded gallows are..Till he came to reeking Smithfield where the crowded gallows are..(Followed Gilbert the Physician) and beneath the wrynecked dead,(Followed Gilbert the Physician) and beneath the wrynecked dead,Sat a leper and his woman, very merry, breaking bread.Sat a leper and his woman, very merry, breaking bread.

He was cloaked from chin to ankle - faceless, fingerless, obsceneHe was cloaked from chin to ankle - faceless, fingerless, obsceneMere corruption swaddled man-wise, but the woman whole and clean;Mere corruption swaddled man-wise, but the woman whole and clean;And she waited on him crooning, and Rahere beheld the twain,And she waited on him crooning, and Rahere beheld the twain,Each delighting in the other, and he checked and groaned again.Each delighting in the other, and he checked and groaned again.

So it comes, - it comes," said Gilbert, "as it came when Life began.So it comes, - it comes," said Gilbert, "as it came when Life began.'Tis a motion of the Spirit that revealeth God to man.'Tis a motion of the Spirit that revealeth God to man.In the shape of Love exceeding, which regards not taint or fall,In the shape of Love exceeding, which regards not taint or fall,Since in perfect Love, saith Scripture, can be no excess at all.Since in perfect Love, saith Scripture, can be no excess at all.

Hence the eye that sees no blemish - hence the hour that holds no shame.Hence the eye that sees no blemish - hence the hour that holds no shame.Hence the Soul assured the Essence and the Substance are the same.Hence the Soul assured the Essence and the Substance are the same.Nay, the meanest need not miss it, though the mightier pass it by;Nay, the meanest need not miss it, though the mightier pass it by;For it comes - it comes," said Gilbert, "and, thou seest, it does not die!"For it comes - it comes," said Gilbert, "and, thou seest, it does not die!"

The AppealThe Appeal

IF IIF I have given you have given you

delightdelight     By aught that I have done,     By aught that I have done, Let me lie quiet in that night Let me lie quiet in that night     Which shall be yours anon:      Which shall be yours anon:

And for the little, little, And for the little, little, spanspan    The dead are borne in mind,    The dead are borne in mind, Seek not to question other Seek not to question other thanthan     The books I leave behind.      The books I leave behind.