Rudyard Kipling

Enlarged From "Many Inventions"


            From the wheel and the drift of Things
            Deliver us, Good Lord,
            And we will face the wrath of Kings,
            The faggot and the sword!

            Lay not thy Works before our eyes
            Nor vex us with thy Wars,
            Lest we should feel the straining skies
            O'ertrod by trampling stars.

            Hold us secure behind the gates
            Of saving flesh and bone,
            Lest we should dream what Dream awaits
            The Soul escaped alone.

            Thy Path, thy Purposes conceal     
             From our beleaguered realm
             Lest any shattering whisper steal
             Upon us and o'erwhelm.

             A veil 'twixt us and Thee, Good Lord,
             A veil 'twixt us and Thee--
             Lest we should hear too clear, too clear,
             And unto madness see!