Porcelain Paperweight with Rudyard Kipling Poem

This porcelain paperweight was found in the Rudyard Kipling collection of the library. This paperweight has an image on one side of a British soldier and a the other side contains the lyrics to Kipling's song "The Absent-Minded Beggar." (lyrics below) This item is most likely from the early 20th century, as that time was the height of popularity. 

This item did not belong to Kipling himself, but this item is a testament to his reach and influence. This item was most likely from a collector or fan of Kipling, most likely a person from the upper-class. This item points at the ideas of imperialism that were discussed in class. Kipling is writing from the a pro-British standpoint against the war in Africa. Kipling's work in other areas also points to imperialist ideas. 

I found it remarkable the influence that Kipling had. This poem was about a war in Africa, and the effects on the home front can be seen through this item. The other items in the collection also showed the level of fame that Kipling had through societies dedicated to him, and a mug similar to this item with some of his art. 

Lyrics: 

When you've shouted "Rule Britannia": when you've sung

"God Save the Queen" 

When you've finished killing Kruger with your mouth:

Will you kindly drop a shilling in my little tambourine

For a gentleman in khaki ordered South?

He's an absent-minded beggar and his weaknesses are great:

But we and Paul must take him as we find him:

He is out on active service wiping something off a slate:

And he's left a lot of little things behind him!

Duke's son - cook's son - son of a hundred kings, 

(Fifty thousand horse and foot going to Table Bay!) 

Each of 'em doing his country's work (and who's to look after the things?)

Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and pay - pay - pay!