Poem by Rudyard Kipling

Beast and Man in India. 1. The Goat

Written for John Lockwood Kipling's

THEY killed a Child to please the Gods
In earth’s young penitence,
And I have bled in that Babe’s stead
Because of innocence.

I bear the sins of sinful men
That have no sin of my own,
They drive me forth to Heaven’s wrath
Unpastured and alone.

I am the meat of sacrifice,
The ransom of man’s guilt,
For they give my life to the altar-knife
Wherever shrine is built.

1. The First Chantey
2. The Cursing of Stephen
3. The Jester
4. Anchor Song
5. The Covenant

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