New-York tribune. [volume], April 28, 1907, Image 27

About New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
THE- SONS-OF-MARTHA
I By RUDYARD KIPLING
The Sons of Mary seldom bother, for they have inherited that good part.
But the Sons of Martha favor their mother of the careful soul and the troubled heart ;
And because she lost her temper once, and because she was rude to the Lord, her Guest,
Her Sons must wait upon Mary's Sens world without end, reprieve, or rest.
It is their care in all the ages to take the buhVt and cushion the shock ;
It is their care that the gear engages; it is their care that the switches lock ;
It is their care that the wheels run truly ; it is their care to embark and entrain.
Tally, transport, and deliver duly the Sons of Mary by land and main.
They say to the mountains, "Be ye removed!" They say to the lesser Hoods, "Run dry!"
Under their rods are the rocks reproved— they are not afraid of that which is high.
Then do the hilltops shake to the summit ; then is the bed of the deep laid bare.
That the Sons of Mary may overcome it, pleasantly sleeping and unaw are.
They finger Death at their glove's end when they piece and repiece the living wires.
He rears against the gates they tend; they feed him hungry behind their fires.
Early at dawn ere men see clear they stumble into his terrible stall.
And hale him forth like a halten d steer, and goad and turn him till ev entail.
To these from birth is Belief forbidden ; from these till death is relief afar.
They are concerned with matters hidden, — under the earth line their altars ,»n
1 he secret fountains to follow up, waters Withdrawn to restore to the mouth.
Yea. and gather the floods as in a cup, and pour them a^ain at a < lty's drouth.
Taey do not preach that their God will rouse them a little before the nuts work loose;
They do not teach that His Pity allow? them to leave their work whenevei they choose.
As in the thronged and the lightened ways, so in the dark and the desert they stand.
Wary and watchful all their days, that their brethren's days may be lung in the land.
Lift ye the stone, or cleave the wood, to make a path more fair or flat, —
Lo ! it is black already with blood some Sons of Martha spilled for that.
Not as a ladder from Earth to Heaven, not as an altar to any creed,
But simple service, simply given to his own kind, in their common need.
And the Sons of Mary smile and are blessed they know the angels are on their side.
They know in them is the Grace confessed, and for them are the Mercies multiplied.
They sit at the Feet, and they hear The Word they know how truly the Promise runs
They have < ist their burden u|*on the Lord, and the Lord He lays it on Martha's Sons.