| Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922. | | | | The Houses |
| | 1898
(A Song of the Dominions)
’TWIXT my house and thy house the pathway is broad, | |
| In thy house or my house is half the world’s hoard; | |
| By my house and thy house hangs all the world’s fate, | |
| On thy house and my house lies half the world’s hate. | |
| |
| For my house and thy house no help shall we find | 5 |
| Save thy house and my house—kin cleaving to kind; | |
| If my house be taken, thine tumbleth anon. | |
| If thy house be forfeit, mine followeth soon. | |
| |
| ’Twixt my house and thy house what talk can there be | |
| Of headship or lordship, or service or fee? | 10 |
| Since my house to thy house no greater can send | |
| Than thy house to my house—friend comforting friends: | |
| And thy house to my house no meaner can bring | |
| Than my house to thy house—King counselling King. | | | | |
|
|
