The Beginnings by Rudyard Kipling

The Beginnings

by Rudyard Kipling

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.