Preface Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFEF GHGHHFHF IJKJJFJF LFLF MNMNNFOF EFEF| To all to whom this little book may come | A |
| Health for yourselves and those you hold most dear | B |
| Content abroad and happiness at home | C |
| And one grand secret in your private ear | D |
| Nations have passed away and left no traces | E |
| And History gives the naked cause of it | F |
| One single simple reason in all cases | E |
| They fell because their peoples were not fit | F |
| - | |
| Now though your Body be mis shapen blind | G |
| Lame feverish lacking substance power or skill | H |
| Certain it is that men can school the Mind | G |
| To school the sickliest Body to her will | H |
| As many have done whose glory blazes still | H |
| Like mighty flames in meanest lanterns lit | F |
| Wherefore we pray the crippled weak and ill | H |
| Be fit be fit In mind at first be fit | F |
| - | |
| And though your Spirit seem uncouth or small | I |
| Stubborn as clay or shifting as the sand | J |
| Strengthen the Body and the Body shall | K |
| Strengthen the Spirit till she take command | J |
| As a bold rider brings his horse in hand | J |
| At the tall fence with voice and heel and bit | F |
| And leaps while all the field are at a stand | J |
| Be fit be fit In body next be fit | F |
| - | |
| Nothing on earth no Arts no Gifts nor Graces | L |
| No Fame no Wealth outweighs the want of it | F |
| This is the Law which every law embraces | L |
| Be fit be fit In mind and body befit | F |
| - | |
| The even heart that seldom slurs its beat | M |
| The cool head weighing what that heart desires | N |
| The measuring eye that guides the hands and feet | M |
| The Soul unbroken when the Body tires | N |
| These are the things our weary world requires | N |
| Far more than superfluities of wit | F |
| Wherefore we pray you sons of generous sires | O |
| Be fit be fit For Honour's sake be fit | F |
| - | |
| There is one lesson at all Times and Places | E |
| One changeless Truth on all things changing writ | F |
| For boys and girls men women nations races | E |
| Be fit be fit And once again be fit | F |
Rudyard Kipling
(1)
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