The Five Nations

General Joubert

1900

(Died, South African War, March 27, 1900)

Rudyard Kipling

WITH those that bred, with those that loosed the strife,
    He had no part whose hands were clear of gain;
But subtle, strong, and stubborn, gave his life
    To a lost cause, and knew the gift was vain.

Later shall rise a people, sane and great,
    Forged in strong fires, by equal war made one;
Telling old battles over without hate—
    Not least his name shall pass from sire to son.

He may not meet the onsweep of our van
    In the doomed city when we close the score;
Yet o’er his grave—his grave that holds a man—
    Our deep-tongued guns shall answer his once more!

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