KIPLING'S ODE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21961, 19 November 1934, Page 6

KIPLING'S ODE

the meLbourne shrine Following is Rudyard Kipling s ode to Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. The ode. which was.written, by Mr. Kipling as a gift to the State of Victoria was read at the dedication of the Shrine on Armistice Day by Sir Stanley Argyle, Premier of Victoria. It is proposed to have the ode cast in bronze and placed in the Shrine. So long as Memory, Valour, and Faith endure Let these Stones witness through the years to come. How once there was a People fenced secure Behind great waters girdling a far home. {Their own and their land's youth ran side by Heedless and headlong as their unyoked seas— . , ~ .. {Lavish o'er all, and set in stubborn pride Of judgment nurtured by accepted peace. JThus, suddenly, War took them—seas and skies Joined with the Earth for slaughter. In a breath / ' ffhey, scoffing at' all talk of sacrifice, Gave themselves without idle words to death. JThronging as cities throng to watch a game. Or their own'herds move southward with the year. Secretly, swiftly, from their ports they came, So that before half earth had heard their r' a name. Half earth had to apeak of them with fear. Because of certain men who strove to reach Through the red surf the creut no man might hold; And gave their name for ever to a beach Which shall outlive Troy's tale when Time is old; Because of horsemen, gathered apart and hid—i Merciless riders whom Megiddo sent forth I When the outflanking hour struck and bid 1 Them close and bar the drove-roads to the '. North; 'And those who, when men feared the last March flood Of Western War had risen beyond recall. Stormed through the night from Amiens and made good, I At their glad cost, ,the breach that perilled all. •JThen they returned to their desired land— The kindly cities and plains whero tbey were bred — Having revealed their Nation in Earth's sight. " So long as Sacrifice and Honour stand, | And Sun at the hushed hour ahall ill The Shrine of these their Dead!