Lord, grant us strength to die!
This selection of Kipling’s poetry commits the unthinkable – it does not contain ‘Recessional’, which is the only poem of Kipling included in many anthologies of English poetry. ‘Recessional’ was prophetic in its description of the decline and fall of the British Empire:
However, personally – probably like most children of my generation educated in the British system and made to memorize this poem – I could never quite understand what were we expected not to forget. ‘Recessional’ certainly conveys the sense of submission to a higher power, of “into Thy Hands I commend my spirit”. But to my mind, this sense of humility in face of the uncontrollable and of the transience of human life is much better expressed in ‘Hymn Before Action’. Because this poem is totally composed of military images, it may annoy people who do not believe that in our day and age, militarism in any form should be glorified. I agree with them; but as long as nations have wars, there will be somber moments just before bullets start flying and men start dying. In such moments, people are likely to find inspiration in these solemn verses.
Hymn before Action
The earth is full of anger, The seas are dark with wrath, The Nations in their harness Go up against our path: Ere yet we loose the legions - Ere yet we draw the blade, Jehovah of the Thunders, Lord God of Battles, aid! High lust and froward bearing, Proud heart, rebellious brow - Deaf ear and soul uncaring, We seek Thy mercy now! The sinner that forswore Thee, The fool that passed Thee by, Our times are known before Thee - Lord, grant us strength to die! For those who kneel beside us At altars not Thine own, Who lack the lights that guide us, Lord, let their faith atone! If wrong we did to call them, By honour bound they came; Let not Thy Wrath befall them, But deal to us the blame. From panic, pride, and terror, Revenge that knows no rein - Light haste and lawless error, Protect us yet again. Cloke Thou our undeserving, Make firm the shuddering breath, In silence and unswerving To taste Thy lesser death. Ah, Mary pierced with sorrow, Remember, reach and save The soul that comes to-morrow Before the God that gave! Since each was born of woman, For each at utter need - True comrade and true foeman - Madonna, intercede! E'en now their vanguard gathers, E'en now we face the fray - As Thou didst help our fathers, Help Thou our host to-day. Fulfilled of signs and wonders, In life, in death made clear - Jehovah of the Thunders, Lord God of Battles, hear!