Rudyard Kipling

«Limits and Renewals». 1932. 5. The Disciple

"The Church that Was at Antioch"

He that hath a Gospel
  To loose upon Mankind,
Though he serve it utterly --
  Body, soul and mind --
Though he go to Calvary
  Daily for its gain --
It is His Disciple
  Shall make his labour vain.

He that hath a Gospel
  For all earth to own --
Though he etch it on the steel,
  Or carve it on the stone --
Not to be misdoubted
  Through the after-days --
It is His Disciple
  Shall read it many ways.

It is His Disciple
  (Ere Those Bones are dust )
Who shall change the Charter,
  Who shall split the Trust --
Amplify distinctions,
  Rationalize the Claim;
Preaching that the Master
  Would have done the same.

It is His Disciple
  Who shall tell us how
Much the Master would have scrapped
  Had he lived till now --
What he would have modified
  Of what he said before.
It is His Disciple
  Shall do this and more....

He that hath a Gospel
  Whereby Heaven is won
(Carpenter, or cameleer,
  Or Maya's dreaming son),
Many swords shall pierce Him,
  Mingling blood with gall;
But His Own Disciple
  Shall wound Him worst of all!