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,
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.
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,
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
That the English began to hate.
Rudyard Kipling