Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
Lord Roberts
H
Of the war that he had descried.
Three hundred mile of cannon spoke
When the Master-Gunner died.
But, before his eye grew dim,
He had seen the faces of the sons
Whose sires had served with him.
With the old sure word of praise;
And there was virtue in touch and speech
As it had been in old days.
And the steadfast spirit went forth
Between the adoring East and West
And the tireless guns of the North.
Flawless in faith and fame,
Whom neither ease nor honours moved
An hair’s-breadth from his aim.
The weighed and urgent word
That pleaded in the market-place—
Pleaded and was not heard!
Through all the hosts to come,
And Glory is the least of things
That follow this man home.