Before (Kipling)

For other versions of this work, see Before.

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First published in A School History of England (1911) as "‘Twas not while England’s Sword unsheathed’". Variously known as "Before" and "The American Rebellion I (1776)". Later incorporated as the first part of "The American Rebellion".

3279003BeforeRudyard Kipling

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’Twas not while England's sword unsheathed Put half a world to flight,Nor while their new-built cities breathed Secure behind her might;Not while she poured from Pole to Line Treasure and ships and men—These worshippers at Freedom's shrine They did not quit her then!

Not till their foes were driven forth By England o'er the main—Not till the Frenchman from the North Had gone, with shattered Spain;Not till the clean-swept ocean showed No hostile flag unrolled,Did they remember what they owed To Freedom—and were bold!

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.

The longest-living author of this work died in 1936, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 88 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

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