Τ' L'ENVOI [To whom it may concern] HE smoke upon your Altar dies, The Goddess of your sacrifice What profit then to sing or slay "We know the Shrine is void,' they said, "The Goddess flown Yet wreaths are on the altar laid The Altar-Stone Is black with fumes of sacrifice Albeit She has fled our eyes. 'For, it may be, if still we sing And tend the Shrine, Some Deity on wandering wing May there incline; And, finding all in order meet, Stay while we worship at Her feet.' Τ' PREFACE HE greater part of the 'Barrack-Room Ballads,' as well as 'Cleared,' 'Evarra,' 'The Explana tion,' 'The Conundrum,' 'Tomlinson,' and the ‘English Flag,' have appeared in the 'National Observer.' Messrs. Macmillan and Co. have kindly given me permission to reproduce four ballads contributed to their Magazine, and I am indebted to the 'St. James's Gazette' for a like courtesy in regard to the ballads of the 'Clampherdown' and 'Bolivar,' and the 'Imperial Rescript.' 'The Rhyme of the Three Captains' was printed first in the 'Athenæum.' I fancy that most of the other verses are new. RUDYARD KIPLING. |