 | Rudyard Kipling's Verse |  |
THE PENALTY
Once in life I watched a Star;
But I whistled, “Let her go!
There are others, fairer far,
Which my favouring skies shall show.”
Here I lied, and herein I
Stood to pay the penalty.
But I whistled, “Let her go!
There are others, fairer far,
Which my favouring skies shall show.”
Here I lied, and herein I
Stood to pay the penalty.
Marvellous the Planets shone
As I ranged from coast to coast;
But beyond comparison
Rode the Star that I had lost.
I had lied, and only I
Did not guess the penalty! . . .
As I ranged from coast to coast;
But beyond comparison
Rode the Star that I had lost.
I had lied, and only I
Did not guess the penalty! . . .
When my Heavens were turned to blood,
When the dark had filled my day,
Furthest, but most faithful, stood
That lone Star I cast away.
I had loved myself, and I
Have not lived and dare not die!
When the dark had filled my day,
Furthest, but most faithful, stood
That lone Star I cast away.
I had loved myself, and I
Have not lived and dare not die!
| Rudyard Kipling's Verse | |