Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
The Choice
The American Spirit speaks:
T
With Whom fulfilment lies
Our purpose and our power belong,
Our faith and sacrifice.
Our ancient bonds are riven;
Once more to us the eternal choice
Of Good or ill is given.
Hardly by prayer or tears,
Shall we recover the road we lost
In the drugged and doubting years.
But, after searching and pain,
His Mercy opens us a path
To live with ourselves again.
We see and hold the good—
Bear witness, Earth, we have made our choice
With Freedom’s brotherhood!
Whose Strength hath saved us whole,
Who bade us choose that the Flesh should die
And not the living Soul!
Wheree’er we see that Birth,
Be love and understanding paid
As never yet on earth!
On Whom all worlds depend,
Be Glory since our world began
And service to the end!