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

The Veterans

(Written for the gathering of survivors of the Indian Mutiny, Albert Hall, 1907.)

TO-DAY, across our fathers’ graves,

The astonished years reveal

The remnant of that desperate host

Which cleansed our East with steel.

Hail and farewell! We greet you here,

With tears that none will scorn—

O Keepers of the House of old,

Or ever we were born!

One service more we dare to ask—

Pray for us, heroes, pray,

That when Fate lays on us our task

We do not shame the Day!