(A. D. 406)
“A Centurion of the Thirtieth” — Puck of Pook’s Hill
My father’s father saw it not,
And I, belike, shall never come
To look on that so-holly spot–
That very Rome–
Crowned by all Time, all Art, all Might,
The equal work of Gods and Man,
City beneath whose oldest height–
The Race began!
Soon to send forth again a brood,
Unshakable, we pray, that clings
To Rome’s thrice-hammered hardihood–
In arduous things.
Strong heart with triple armour bound,
Beat strongly, for thy life-blood runs,
Age after Age, the Empire round–
In us thy Sons
Who, distant from the Seven Hills,
Loving and serving much, require
Thee-thee to guard ‘gainst home-born ills
The Imperial Fire!
(Rudyard Kipling)
More Poetry from Rudyard Kipling:
Rudyard Kipling Poems based on Topics: Man, God, Time, Fire, Cities, Art, Age- Zion (Rudyard Kipling Poem)
- You Must n't Swim... (Rudyard Kipling Poems)
- The Young British Soldier (Rudyard Kipling Poem)
- The Winners (Rudyard Kipling Poem)
- The Wishing-Caps (Rudyard Kipling Poem)
- With Scindia to Delphi (Rudyard Kipling Poem)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, God Poems, Time Poems, Fire Poems, Art Poems, Age Poems, Cities PoemsBased on Keywords: triple, oldest, armour, strongly, life-blood, puck, belike, arduous, hardihood, centurion, thirtieth