Common Form (1918)

If any question why we died,

Tell them because our fathers lied.

A Dead Statesman (1924)

I could not dig, I dared not rob,

And so I lied to please the mob.

Now all my lies are proved untrue,

And I must face the men I slew.

What tale will serve me here among

Mine angry and defrauded young?

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)