Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.

The Queen’s Men

VALOUR and Innocence

Have latterly gone hence

To certain death by certain shame attended.

Envy—ah! even to tears!—

The fortune of their years

Which, though so few, yet so divinely ended.

Scarce had they lifted up

Life’s full and fiery cup,

Than they had set it down untouched before them.

Before their day arose

They beckoned it to close—

Close in confusion and destruction o’er them.

They did not stay to ask

What prize should crown their task—

Well sure that prize was such as no man strives for;

But passed into eclipse,

Her kiss upon their lips—

Even Belphœbe’s, whom they gave their lives for!