It is possible to reconstruct Kipling's Magic Square from the internal
evidence of the speech. Using the Pocket Edition of the Book of Words, the
four sides are introduced on page 133 as the Step, the Line, the Wheel and
Forming Fours. The last must be at the bottom, because it is 'the foundation
which makes every move possible'. So the four sides of the square are:
__________
|____L_____|
___ ___
| | | |
| S | |W|
| | | |
|__| |__|
__________
|____F_____|
On page 134, Kipling puts them in a different order, S.W.L.F. - So we learned
fighting.
However, three sides are listed in order on page 138 - the Step, the Line and
the Wheel and on page 152 when Kipling re-interprets the sketch as the Altar
of Sacrifice, the base F becomes Faith, the supports are Wisdom and Strength
and the crowning piece is sacrifice which is Love. F, W, S, L.
The uprights S and W might possibly be reversed but either way the square
works to illustrate Kipling's words.
>From Roger Ayers
Membership Secretary
The Kipling Society
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