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POETRY: IF BY RUDYARD KIPLING

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If If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master, If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew T

POETRY: A BALLAD OF BURIAL BY RUDYARD KIPLING

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If down here I chance to die,   Solemnly I beg you take All that is left of "I"   To the Hills for old sake's sake, Pack me very thoroughly   In the ice that used to slake Pegs I drank when I was dry --   This observe for old sake's sake. To the railway station hie,   There a single ticket take For Umballa -- goods-train -- I   Shall not mind delay or shake. I shall rest contentedly   Spite of clamor coolies make; Thus in state and dignity   Send me up for old sake's sake. Next the sleepy Babu wake,   Book a Kalka van "for four." Few, I think, will care to make   Journeys with me any more As they used to do of yore.   I shall need a "special" break -- Thing I never took before --   Get me one for old sake's sake. After that -- arrangements make.   No hotel will take me in, And a bullock's back would break   'Neath the teak and leaden skin Tonga ropes are frail and thin,   Or, did I a back-sea