KIPLING'S LATEST POEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10968, 24 January 1899, Page 3

KIPLING'S LATEST POEM.

KITCHENER'S SCHOOL. [from the TIMES.]

(Being a translation of the song that was mado by a Mahometan schoolmaster of tho — Bongal Infantry (some timo on service at Suakin) when ho hoard that the Sirdar was taking money from tho English to build a Madrissa for Hubshccs—a college for tho Soudanese.)

Oh Hubshco, carry your shoes in your hand and bow your head on your breast ! This is the message of Kitchener, who did not break you in jost. It was ponnilted for him to fulfil tho long appointed years, Reaching tho end ordained of old ovor your dead Emirs.

Ho stamped only before your walls, and the tomb yo know was dust; Ho galhorcd up undor his armpits all tho swords of your trust: Ho sot a guard on your granaries, securing the woak from the strong:

Ho said:— work tho waterwheels that woro abolished so long." Ho said:— "Go safely, being abased, I have accomplished my vow." That was tho mercy of Kitchener. Cometh his madness now ! Ho does not desire as ye desire, nor deviso as yo deviso: He is preparing a second host—an army to make you wise.

Not at tho mouth of his clean-lipped guns shall ye learn his name again, But letter by letter, and many letters, at the mouth of his chosen men. Ho has gone back to his own city, not seeking presents or bribes, But openly asking the English for money to buy you Hakims and scribes. Knowing that'ye aro forfeit by battle and havo no right to live. He begs for money to bring you learning— and all tho English give. It is their treasure—it is their pleasurethus are their hearts inclined. For Allah created the English mad-tho maddest of all mankind 1

They do not considor the meaning of things; they consult not creed or olan. Mold thoy olap the slavo on the back, and behold ho becomoth a man! They terribly carpet tho earth with dead, and bofore their cannon cool, They walk unarmed by twos and three to call the living to school.

How is this reason (which is their reason) to judge a soholar's worth , By casting a ball at three straight sticks and defending the same with a fourth But this thoy do (which is doubtless a spell) and other matters more strange, Until, by tho operation of years, the hearts of their scholars change;

Till these make como and gc great boats or engines upon the rail; , (But always tho English watoh near by to prop them when they fail) , , Till these make laws of their own choice ana judges of their own blood; _ And all tho mad English obey the judges and eay that the law is good. Certainly they were mad from sf old; but I think one now thing . That the magic whereby they work their magic— wherefrom their fortune springMay bo that they show all people their magio, and ask no price in return. Wherefore, since ye are bond to that magic, 0 H\ibshee make haste and learn! Certainly also is Kitchener mad. But one sure thing I know— .... . . If he who broke you be minded to teach you, to his Madrissa go! ... Go, and carry your shoes in your hand and bow your head on your breast, ' For ho whe did not slay you in sport, he will not teach you in jest. -ROOTABD KIPUNG.