Explore "Our Fathers Also" by Rudyard Kipling on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Thrones, Powers, Dominions, Peoples, Kings, / Are changing 'neath our hand; / Our fathers also see these things / But they do not understand.
By -- they are by with mirth and tears, / Wit or the works of Desire -- / Cushioned about on the kindly years / Between the wall and the fire.
The grapes are pressed, the corn is shocked -- / Standeth no more to glean; / For the Gates of Love and Learning locked / When they went out between.
All lore our Lady Venus bares, / Signalled it was or told / By the dear lips long given to theirs / And longer to the mould.
All Profit, all Device, all Truth / Written it was or said / By the mighty men of their mighty youth, / Which is mighty being dead.
The film that floats before their eyes / The Temple's Veil they call; / And the dust that on the Shewbread lies / Is holy over all.
Warn them of seas that slip our yoke / Of slow-conspiring stars -- / The ancient Front of Things unbroke / But heavy with new wars?
By -- they are by with mirth and tears, / Wit or the waste of Desire -- / Cushioned about on the kindly years / Between the wall and the fire.