'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

18 August 2012

Sunday Kipling

It's going to be a fine day. Lu and I are going to the store for fresh brats to tempt Sarge and MIL for a nice Sunday dinner. We went on a good day trip yesterday that I'll blog about later this week. I'll be heading back to California soon to help Car Guy with a new roof. After which he'll be coming here to help me with mine. Aren't friends a blessing? I hope you all have a great day and a better week. Take care my friends.
Six

The Dove of Dacca
1892
The freed dove flew to the Rajah's tower 
  Fled from the slaughter of Moslem kings 
And the thorns have covered the city of Gaur,
  Dove -- dove -- oh, homing dove!
Little white traitor, with woe on thy wings!

The Rajah of Dacca rode under the wall;
  He set in his bosom a dove of flight 
"If she return, be sure that I fall."
  Dove -- dove -- oh, homing dove!
Pressed to his heart in the thick of the fight.

"Fire the palace, the fort, and the keep 
  Leave to the foeman no spoil at all.     
In the flame of the palace lie down and sleep
  If the dove -- if the dove -- if the homing dove
Come, and alone, to the palace wall."

The Kings of the North they were scattered abroad 
  The Rajah of Dacca he slew them all.
Hot from slaughter he stooped at the ford,
  And the dove -- the dove -- oh, the homing dove!
She thought of her cote on the palace-wall.

She opened her wings and she flew away 
  Fluttered away beyond recall;
She came to the palace at break of day.
  Dove -- dove -- oh, homing dove,
Flying so fast for a kingdom's fall!

The Queens of Dacca they slept in flame
  Slept in the flame of the palace old 
To save their honour from Moslem shame.
  And the dove -- the dove -- oh, the homing dove,
She cooed to her young where the smoke-cloud rolled!

The Rajah of Dacca rode far and fleet,
  Followed as fast as a horse could fly,
He came and the palace was black at his feet;
  And the dove -- the dove -- the homing dove,
Circled alone in the stainless sky.

So the dove flew to the Rajah's tower 
  Fled from the slaughter of Moslem kings;
So the thorns covered the city of Gaur,
  And Dacca was lost for a white dove's wings.
Dove -- dove -- oh, homing dove,
  Dacca is lost from the Roll of the Kings!

5 comments:

agirlandhergun said...

Happy Sunday! Enjoy!

Six said...

Thanks Girl. You too.

Joan of Argghh! said...

How beautiful this one is. I wonder if it's ever been set to song?

God, Gals, Guns, Grub said...

I did some roofing back in college... it was a good education... to never roof above 80 degrees...

Dann in Ohio

Six said...

I think so as well Joan. Putting it to music is a great idea. I know you have a beautiful voice, can you or the JR write music by chance? That'd be awesome!

Good advice Dann. Very good and well taken.