| Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922. | | | | The Beginnings |
| | 1914–18
IT was not part of their blood, | |
| It came to them very late | |
| With long arrears to make good, | |
| When the English began to hate. | |
| |
| They were not easily moved, | 5 |
| They were icy-willing to wait | |
| Till every count should be proved, | |
| Ere the English began to hate. | |
| |
| Their voices were even and low, | |
| Their eyes were level and straight. | 10 |
| There was neither sign nor show, | |
| When the English began to hate. | |
| |
| It was not preached to the crowd, | |
| It was not taught by the State. | |
| No man spoke it aloud, | 15 |
| When the English began to hate. | |
| |
| It was not suddenly bred, | |
| It will not swiftly abate, | |
| Through the chill years ahead, | |
| When Time shall count from the date | 20 |
| That the English began to hate. | | | | |
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