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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A CAROL by RUDYARD KIPLING

Poet Analysis

First Line: OUR LORD WHO DID THE OX COMMAND
Last Line: AND WHO SHALL JUDGE THE LORD?

Our Lord Who did the Ox command
To kneel to Judah's King,
He binds His frost upon the land
To ripen it for Spring --
To ripen it for Spring, good sirs,
According to His Word;
Which well must be as ye can see --
And who shall judge the Lord?

When we poor fenmen skate the ice
Or shiver on the wold,
We hear the cry of a single tree
That breaks her heart in the cold --
That breaks her heart in the cold, good sirs,
And rendeth by the board;
Which well must be as ye can see --
And who shall judge the Lord?

Her wood is crazed and little worth
Excepting as to burn,
That we may warm and make our mirth
Until the Spring return --
Until the Spring return, good sirs,
When people walk abroad;
Which well must be as ye can see --
And who shall judge the Lord?

God bless the master of this house,
And all that sleep therein!
And guard the fens from pirate folk,
And keep s all from sin,
To walk in honesty, good sirs,
Of thought and deed and word!
Which shall befriend our latter end --
And who shall judge the Lord?



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