THE WRATH OF THE AWAKENED SAXON

Daniel Radcliffe as John "Jack" Kipling, Kim Cattrall as Carrie Kipling and David Haig as Rudyard Kipling
in the PBS drama My Boy Jack, about the death of Rudyard Kipling’s son at the battle of Loos. (left to right)

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.

Hate is still an operative word no matter how much we try and make nice. Biological evolution at work: the best defense is a good offense. It's really pretty amazing that there are as many people as there are. It's a wonder we haven't killed ourselves off.
    Some places use 'English' in lieu of 'Saxon'. Not quite sure what that's about. Via Sharon.