RECESSIONAL In 1897 Great Britain held a great festival to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria. Britain boasts that the sun never sets on her dominions, and from all over the world, Canada, India, Australia and England itself came thousands of people to celebrate the great occasion. There were pomp and ceremony and congratulation and perhaps something of boasting and glorification. Kipling watched it all, heard the speeches, listened to the firing of salutes, saw the glistening parades---and then as the jubilee closed wrote this remarkable poem, which is now exulted as one of the world's greatest hymns. God of our fathers, known of old--- Lord of our far-flung battle-line, Beneath whose awful hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine--- Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget---lest we forget! The tumult and the shouting dies--- The captains and the kings depart, Still stands Thine ancient Sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart--- Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget---lest we forget! Far-called, our navies melt away--- On dune and headland sinks the fire; Lo! all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Nineveh and Tyre! Judge of the Nations, spare us yet, Lest we forget---lest we forget! If drunk with sight of power, we loose Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--- Such boasting as the Gentiles use, Or lesser breeds, without the law--- Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget---lest we forget! |
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