The Ubique

Author: Rudyard Kipling

There is a word you often see, pronounce it as you may, 
'You bike,' 'you bikwe,' 'ubbikwe', alludin' to R.A.
It serves 'Orse, Field, an' Garrison as motto for a crest,
An' when you've found out all it means I'll tell you 'alf the rest.

Ubique means the long-range Krupp be'ind the low-range 'ill, 
Ubique means you'll pick it up an', while you do stand, still.
Ubique means you've caught the flash an' timed it by the sound.
Ubique means five gunners' 'ash before you've loosed a round.


Ubique means Blue Fuse, an' make the 'ole to sink the trail. extreme range
Ubique means stand up an' take the Mauser's 'alf-mile 'ail.
Ubique means the crazy team not God nor man can 'old.
Ubique means that 'orse's scream which turns your innards cold.


Ubique means 'Bank, 'Olborn, Bank, a penny all the way, 
The soothin' jingle-bump-an'-clank from day to peaceful day.
Ubique means 'They've caught De Wet, an' now we sha'n't be long.'
Ubique means 'I much regret, the beggar's going strong!'


Ubique means the tearin' drift where, breech-blocks jammed with mud,
The khaki muzzles duck an' lift across the khaki flood.
Ubique means the dancing plain that changes rocks to Boers.
Ubique means the mirage again an' shellin' all outdoors.


Ubique means 'Entrain at once for Grootdefeatfontein'!
Ubique means 'Off-load your guns', at midnight in the rain!
Ubique means 'More mounted men. Return all guns to store.'
Ubique means the R.A.M.R. Infantillery Corps!

Ubique means the warnin' grunt the perished linesman knows,
When o'er 'is strung an' sufferin' front the shrapnel sprays 'is foes,
An' as their firin' dies away the 'usky whisper runs
From lips that 'aven't drunk all day: 'The Guns! Thank Gawd, the Guns!'


Extreme, depressed, point-blank or short, end-first or any'ow,
From Colesberg Kop to Quagga's Poort, from Ninety-Nine till now.
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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: Rudyard Kipling’s "Ubique" is a Narrative Poem with elements of a Military Ballad and Tribute Poetry. The title, Latin for "everywhere," serves both as the British Royal Artillery’s motto and as the thematic center of the poem, celebrating the omnipresent and grueling work of artillerymen across various campaigns. The poem's central theme is the relentless, often invisible labor and suffering of soldiers, particularly gunners, who endure without recognition or glamour. Kipling paints a vivid, unsparing portrait of the hardships faced by artillery units: the danger of enemy fire, the exhausting treks through mud and flood, the heartbreak of false news, and the endless, grinding movement from battlefield to battlefield.

The tone of "Ubique" is gritty, respectful, and laced with weary humor. Unlike poems that romanticize war, Kipling’s voice here acknowledges the brutal tedium and terror that characterize military life. His use of soldier slang and phonetic spelling ("'orse's scream," "'alf-mile 'ail," "the beggar’s going strong") lends authenticity to the voice, making it sound like a soldier speaking from the trenches rather than an officer delivering an oration. The imagery is raw and physical: "five gunners’ 'ash" suggests death by shellfire; "mud-jammed breech-blocks" and "khaki muzzles duck and lift" paint vivid pictures of chaotic, muddy battlefields. Repetition of "Ubique means..." throughout the poem builds a cumulative effect, mirroring the relentless pace of military service.

Structurally, the poem has a rough, energetic rhythm, echoing the jostling, jarring life of soldiers constantly on the move. Each stanza delivers another layer of the artilleryman's experience, from the technical challenges of timing enemy fire to the bitter disappointment when victories prove fleeting. Despite the hardships, there is an underlying pride: the artillery may suffer anonymously, but it is their arrival—"The Guns! Thank Gawd, the Guns!"—that often turns the tide of battle and brings hope to exhausted infantrymen. Historically, the references to battles, such as against the Boers, root the poem firmly in the context of British colonial wars, especially the Second Boer War (1899–1902).

"Ubique" thus stands as a moving tribute to the persistence, bravery, and unsung heroism of the artillerymen, honoring their omnipresent yet often underappreciated role in the machinery of empire and war. It is a portrait of endurance rather than glory, focusing on the men who are "everywhere" but rarely celebrated.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.