Poem by Rudyard Kipling

«Debits and Credits». (1919-1926). 10. The Portent

     Horace, BK. V. Ode 20.
 "The Prophet and the Country"

0h, late withdrawn from human-kind
  And following dreams we never knew!
Varus, what dream has Fate assigned
  To trouble you?

Such virtue as commends of law
  Of Virtue to the vulgar horde
Suffices not. You needs must draw
  A righteous sword;

And, flagrant in well-doing, smite
  The priests of Bacchus at their fane,
Lest any worshipper invite
  The God again.

Whence public strife and naked crime
  And-deadlier than the cup you shun--
A people schooled to mock, in time,
  All law--not one.

Cease, then, to fashion State-made sin,
  Nor give thy children cause to doubt
That Virtue springs from Iron within--
  Not lead without.

1. The First Chantey
2. The Cursing of Stephen
3. Darzee's Chaunt
4. Tarrant Moss
5. «Limits and Renewals». 1932. 16. Song of Seventy Horses

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