Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/428

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410
RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

August (Coaching) The Pious Horse to church may trot,
A maid may work a man's salvation ….
Four horses and a girl are not,
However, roads to reformation.

September (Shooting) "Peace upon Earth, Goodwill to men"
So greet we Christmas Day!
Oh, Christian, load your gun and then
Oh, Christian, out and slay.

October (Golf) Why Golf is art and art is Golf
We have not far to seek—
So much depends upon the lie,
So much upon the cleek.

November (Boxing) Read here the moral roundly writ
For him who into battle goes—
Each soul that hitting hard or hit,
Endureth gross or ghostly foes.
Prince, blown by many overthrows
Half blind with shame, half choked with dirt
Man cannot tell, but Allah knows
How much the other side was hurt!

December (Skating) Over the ice she flies
Perfect and poised and fair.
Stars in my true-love's eyes
Teach me to do and dare.
Now will I fly as she flies—
Woe for the stars that misled.
Stars I beheld in her eyes,
Now do I see in my head!