His Apologies

His Apologies written by Rudyard Kipling

Published in Hearst’s International combined with Cosmopolitan Magazine April 1932, Pearson’s Magazine, May 1932 and collected, with slight amendments, in Inclusive Verse (1933) and Definitive Verse (1940). – Kipling Society

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"His Apologies" Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old. He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled. But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee... Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is very comfy with Thee. Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a wrong. He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long. Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt, and his self-respect has been bruised. Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed. Master-again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe, He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew. Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow. Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go! Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe! There has been fighting all over the Shop — and into the Shop also! Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife (or I might have been choking him yet), But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life — and now shall we call on the vet? Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play, And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentedst away. But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see (Brushed — with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea.  * * * * * * * * * * Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind. He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind. Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn. He hath had none other God than Thee since the year that he was born. Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass. There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass. His bones are full of an old disease – his torments run and increase. Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release! 1932

Note

See also the Russian translation: Его оправдания (Киплинг - Фельдман).

This work is in the public domain in countries where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or less.