Poem by Rudyard Kipling

L'Envoi. Departmental Dittles

The smoke upon your Altar dies,
  The flowers decay,
The Goddess of your sacrifice
   Has flown away.
What profit then to sing or slay
The sacrifice from day to day?

"We know the Shrine is void," they said.
  "The Goddess flown --
"Yet wreaths are on the altar laid --
  "The Altar-Stone
"Is black withfumes of sacrifice,
"Albeit She has Bed our eyes.

"For, it may be, if still we sing
  "And tend the Shrine,
"Some Deity on wandering wing
  "May there incline,
"And, finding all in order meet,
"Stay while we Worship at Her feet."

1. The First Chantey
2. The Cursing of Stephen
3. Anchor Song
4. The Covenant
5. «Limits and Renewals». 1932. 19. Azrael's Count

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