by
Rudyard Kipling
It was not part of their blood,
It came to
them very late,
With long arrears to make good,
When the Saxon began to
hate.
They were not easily moved,
They were icy -- willing to
wait
Till every count should be proved,
Ere the Saxon began to
hate.
Their voices were even and low.
Their eyes were level and
straight.
There was neither sign nor show
When the Saxon began to
hate.
It was not preached to the crowd.
It was not taught by the
state.
No man spoke it aloud
When the Saxon began to hate.
It was
not suddently bred.
It will not swiftly abate.
Through the chilled years
ahead,
When Time shall count from the date
That the Saxon began to
hate.
