Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
LEnvoi
(Departmental Ditties)
T
The flowers decay,
The Goddess of your sacrifice
Has flown away.
What profit then to sing or slay
The sacrifice from day to day?
“The Goddess flown—
“Yet wreaths are on the altar laid—
“The Altar-Stone
“Is black with fumes of sacrifice,
“Albeit She has fled our eyes.
“And tend the Shrine,
“Some Deity on wandering wing
“May there incline;
“And, finding all in order meet,
“Stay while we worship at Her feet.”