953

K51

соруз

COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY

RUDYARD KIPLING

COPYRIGHT, 1905, BY

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

ENPLISH I

Fhis book is also protečied by copyright vader
the laws of Great Britain, and the several
poems contained herein have also been severally
copyrighted in the United States of America.

THE Cities are full of pride,
Challenging each to each-
This from her mountain-side,

That from her burthened beach.

They count their ships full tale-
Their corn and oil and wine,
Derrick and loom and bale,

And rampart's gun-flecked line;

City by city they hail :

"Hast aught to match with mine?"

And the men that breed from them

They traffic up and down,

But cling to their cities' hem

As a child to the mother's gown.

When they talk with the stranger band,

Dazed and newly alone;

When they walk in the stranger lands By roaring streets unknown;

Blessing her where she stands

For strength above their own.

(On high to hold her fame

That stands all fame beyond,

By oath to back the same,

Most faithful-foolish-fond;

Making her mere-breathed name
Their bond upon their bond.)

So thank I God my birth
Fell not in isles aside-
Waste headlands of the earth,
Or warring tribes untried-

But that she lent me worth
And gave me right to pride.

Surely in toil or fray

Under an alien sky,

Comfort it is to say:

"Of no mean city am I."