Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
The Bells and Queen Victoria
“G
To ring the Bells of London Town.”
When London Town’s asleep in bed
You’ll hear the Bells ring overhead.
In excelsis gloria!
Ringing for Victoria,
Ringing for their mighty mistress—ten years dead!
Here is more gain than Gloriana guessed—
That Gloriana guessed or Indies bring—
Than golden Indies bring. A Queen confessed—
A Queen confessed that crowned her people King.
Her people King, and crowned all Kings above,
Above all Kings have crowned their Queen their love—
Have crowned their love their Queen, their Queen their love!
Disowning her are we ourselves disowned.
Mirror was she of our fidelity,
And handmaid of our destiny enthroned;
The very marrow of Youth’s dream, and still
Yoke-mate of wisest Age that worked her will!
Her praise the years had proven past all speech,
And past all speech our loyal hearts always,
Always our hearts lay open, each to each—
Therefore men gave their treasure and their blood
To this one woman—for she understood!
Oh, London Bells, to all the world declare
The Secret of the Empire—read who will!
The Glory of the People—touch who dare!
Power that has reached itself all kingly powers,
St. Margaret’s: By love o’erpowered—
St. Martin’s: By love o’erpowered—
St. Clement Danes: By love o’erpowered,
The greater power confers!
For we were hers, as she, as she was ours,
Bow Bells: And she was ours—
St. Paul’s: And she was ours—
Westminster: And she was ours,
As we, even we, were hers!
As we were hers!