Читать книгу Limits and Renewals - Редьярд Джозеф Киплинг - Страница 9

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ERE the mother's milk had dried On my lips, the Brethren came-- Tore me from my nurse's side. And bestowed on me a name Infamously overtrue-- Such as 'Bunny,' 'Stinker,' 'Podge';-- But, whatever I should do. Mine for ever in the Lodge. Then they taught with palm and toe-- Then I learned with yelps and tears-- All the Armoured Man should know Through his Seven Secret Years... Last, oppressing as oppressed. I was loosed to go my ways With a Totem on my breast Governing my nights and days-- Ancient and unbribeable. By the virtue of its Name-- Which, however oft I fell Lashed me back into The Game. And the World, that never knew. Saw no more beneath my chin Than a patch of rainbow-hue. Mixed as Life and crude as Sin.