Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922.
The Outlaws
T
They set themselves to find
Fresh terrors and undreamed-of fears
To heap upon mankind.
Or digged from earth beneath,
They laid into their treasure-trove
And arsenals of death:
Ruler and ruled alike
Built up the faith they meant to break
When the fit hour should strike.
And good return it gave:
They plotted by their neighbour’s hearth
The means to make him slave.
They loosed their hidden sword,
And utterly laid waste a land
Their oath was pledged to guard.
To life and make more dread
Abominations of old days,
That men believed were dead.
Across a world in flame;
But their own hate slew their own soul
Before that victory came.