KITCHENER, K. G. by HENRY CHAPPELL

MY Lord, congratulations on the gain
Of knighthood's highest guerdon: 'tis the sign
And noble token of an Empire's trust
Bestowed by kingly hand to mark the sense
Of service rendered to an Empire's cause.
A noble order for a noble man,
No glittering symbol offered to a name,
Nor gaud to deck the idol of a crowd,
But fitting tribute to a selfless life,
A life upon the Nation's altar laid,
Tho' Nations thank not always those who serve.
The petty clouds of interest, place, and power
Obscure the light of men of honest worth,
And merit languishes full oft in gloom
Till some convulsion shakes the walls of State
And all the tinsel of pretence flakes off
From the dry bones of gross incompetence;
Then Merit shines, and leads, a faithful star.
A worthy Order for a worthy man,
Each lending added lustre unto each,
A kingly gift. It smites upon the lips
Foul calumny, and her attendant brood
That perish, wilting in the public scorn,
Rank as the memory of an evil thing.
My Lord, congratulation, and the trust
Of those who love their Country and their King,
And all good wishes from a humble scribe.

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