Religion On My Mind

THE DISCIPLE 

RUDYARD KIPLING

He that hath a Gospel

To loose upon mankind,

Though he serve it utterly -

Body, soul and mind -

Though he go to Calvary

Daily for its gain -

It is his Disciple

Shall make his labour vain. 

He that hath a Gospel,

For all earth to own

Though he etch it on the steel,

Or carve it on the stone -

Not to be misdoubted

Through the after-days -

It is his disciple

Shall read it many ways.

It is his disciple

(Ere those bones are dust)

Who shall change the charter,

Who shall split the trust -

Amplify distinctions,

Rationalise the Claim,

Preaching that the Master

Would have done the same. 

It is his disciple

Who shall tell us how

Much the Master would have scrapped

Had he lived to now -

What he would have modified

Of what he said before -

It is his disciple

Shall do this and more.

He that hath a Gospel

Whereby Heaven is won -

(Carpenter or Cameleer,

Or Maya’s dreaming son) -

Many swords shall pierce him,

Mingling blood with gall;

But His Own Disciple

Shall wound him worst of all.