596 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE
White hands cling to the tightened rein, Slipping the spur from the booted heel, Tenderest voices cry "Turn again," Red lips tarnish the scabbarded steel, High hopes faint on a warm hearth stone He travels the fastest who travels alone.
One may fall but he falls by himself Falls by himself with himself to blame. One may attain and to him is pelf Loot of the city in Gold or Fame. Plunder of earth shall be all his own Who travels the fastest and travels alone.
Wherefore the more ye be holpen and stayed Stayed by a friend in the hour of toil, Sing the heretical song I have made His be the labour and yours be the spoil. Win by his aid and the aid disown He travels the fastest who travels alone !
A ST. HELENA LULLABY
JJOW far is St. Helena from a little child at play?"
What makes you want to wander there with all the world
between ?
Oh, Mother, call your son again or else he'll run away. (No one thinks of winter when the grass is green /)
"How far is St. Helena from a fight in Paris street?" I haven't time to answer now the men are falling fast. The guns begin to thunder, and the drums begin to beat= (IJ you take the first step, you will take the last /)
