The Best of Rudyard Kipling

A Collection of Essential Poetry

Rudyard Kipling

• Publisher: Ragged Hand - Read & Co.
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781528717601
  9781528773478
• eBook ISBN:
  9781528790710
• Topic: Literatura
• Subtopic: Poesía europea

A powerful and wide-ranging collection of poetry by Rudyard Kipling, one of the most influential writers in English literature.

Spanning themes of duty, empire, war, faith, and human resilience, this volume brings together many of Kipling's most celebrated and enduring poems. Best known for his vivid evocations of colonial India and his masterful command of rhythm and narrative verse, Kipling was a pioneering figure in modern short fiction and poetry, and one of the most widely read authors of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His poems are marked by their memorable language, moral clarity, and emotional force, qualities that continue to resonate with readers today.

This collection includes such iconic works as Gunga Din, If—, Recessional, The Gods of the Copybook Headings, The White Man's Burden, Mesopotamia, The Female of the Species, The Ballad of East and West, Epitaphs of the War, The Way Through the Woods, Mother O'Mine, and many others.

An essential volume for poetry lovers and admirers of Kipling's work, The Best of Rudyard Kipling offers an excellent introduction to his verse as well as a rewarding collection for long-time readers. Kipling's other notable works include The Jungle Book, Kim, and The Man Who Would Be King, all of which have secured his lasting place in literary history.

EPITAPHS OF THE WAR

1914-18

“EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE”

A. "I was a Have.” B. "I was a ‘have-not.’”

(Together)"What hast thou given which I gave not?”

A SERVANT

We were together since the War began.

He was my servant—and the better man.

A SON

My son was killed while laughing at some jest. I would I knew

What it was, and it might serve me in a time when jests are few.

AN ONLY SON

I have slain none except my Mother. She

(Blessing her slayer) died of grief for me.

EX-CLERK

Pity not! The Army gave

Freedom to a timid slave:

In which Freedom did he find

Strength of body, will, and mind:

By which strength he came to prove

Mirth, Companionship, and Love:

For which Love to Death he went:

In which Death he lies content.

THE WONDER

Body and Spirit I surrendered whole

To harsh Instructors—and received a soul . . .

If mortal man could change me through and through

From all I was—what may The God not do?

HINDU SEPOY IN FRANCE

This man in his own country prayed we know not to what Powers.

We pray Them to reward him for his bravery in ours.

THE COWARD

I could not look on Death, which being known,

Men led me to him, blindfold and alone.

SHOCK

My name, my speech, my self I had forgot.

My wife and children came—I knew them not.

I died. My Mother followed. At her call

And on her bosom I remembered all.

A GRAVE NEAR CAIRO

Gods of the Nile, should this stout fellow here

Get out—get out! He knows not shame nor fear.

...

Table of contents

• Rudyard Kipling
• GUNGA DIN
• IF—
• RECESSIONAL
• THE GODS OF THE COPYBOOK HEADINGS
• THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN
• MESOPOTAMIA
• THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES
• THE BALLAD OF EAST AND WEST
• EPITAPHS OF THE WAR
• THE WAY THROUGH THE WOODS
• MOTHER O' MINE
• TOMMY
• THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN
• DANNY DEEVER
• HARP SONG OF THE DANE WOMEN
• MANDALAY
• THE WINNERS
• BIBLIOGRAPHY