Explore "The Pro-Consuls" by Rudyard Kipling on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
_The overfaithful sword returns the user / His heart's desire at price of his heart's blood. / The clamour of the arrogant accuser / Wastes that one hour we needed to make good. / This was foretold of old at our outgoing; / This we accepted who have squandered, knowing, / The strength and glory of our reputations, / At the day's need, as it were dross, to guard / The tender and new-dedicate foundations / Against the sea we fear -- not man's award._
They that dig foundations deep, / Fit for realms to rise upon, / Little honour do they reap / Of their generation, / Any more than mountains gain / Stature till we reach the plain.