Classic and Contemporary Poetry
KITCHENER, K. G., by HENRY CHAPPELL First Line: My lord, congratulations on the gain Last Line: And all good wishes from a humble scribe. Subject(s): Death; Kitchener, Horatio, 1st Earl (1850-1916); Memory; Prayer; Dead, The | ||||||||
MY Lord, congratulations on the gain Of knighthood's highest guerdon: 'tis the sign And noble token of an Empire's trust Bestowed by kingly hand to mark the sense Of service rendered to an Empire's cause. A noble order for a noble man, No glittering symbol offered to a name, Nor gaud to deck the idol of a crowd, But fitting tribute to a selfless life, A life upon the Nation's altar laid, Tho' Nations thank not always those who serve. The petty clouds of interest, place, and power Obscure the light of men of honest worth, And merit languishes full oft in gloom Till some convulsion shakes the walls of State And all the tinsel of pretence flakes off From the dry bones of gross incompetence; Then Merit shines, and leads, a faithful star. A worthy Order for a worthy man, Each lending added lustre unto each, A kingly gift. It smites upon the lips Foul calumny, and her attendant brood That perish, wilting in the public scorn, Rank as the memory of an evil thing. My Lord, congratulation, and the trust Of those who love their Country and their King, And all good wishes from a humble scribe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND |
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