New Poem – In preparation for our Centenial, the Corporation of the Seven Wardens commissioned a new poem for the Obligation Ceremony.  After a Canada wide competion,  ‘The Hand that Wears the Ring’ by poet Gisela Hippolt-Squair from Edmonton, Alberta was selected. This wonderful poem perfectly captures the obligations, expectations, expertise and honour that define engineers as they serve and enhance society for the benefit of all.

Originally we used Kipling’s “Hymn of Breaking Strain” as part of the ceremony. We retired it at the Centennial because “The Hand that wears the Ring” is that good.  The Hymn is also most appropriate, and we have retained a copy below for anyone interested in this traditional element of the ceremony.

The Hand that Wears the Ring

Gisela Hippolt-Squair

Your lifelong journey starts today.
A shining path reveals the way,
laid down by those who came before,
from nearby lands and distant shores.
Your destiny will now take wing.
Proud the hand that wears the Ring.

With vision bright and thoughts set free,
a world awaits where you will see
the facets of your labourʹs art
reflect the dreams within your heart.
Through innovation, futures spring.
Skillful the hand that wears the Ring.

Yet lightly step upon this course;
speak not with bluster nor with force.
Observe with spirit, heart, and mind;
all ways of knowing you will find.
Authentic words should never sting.
Humble the hand that wears the Ring.

Beware demands that often lead
to bridging over want and need.
Each compromise a step too far
that blurs the line of who you are.
Your public duty sets the bearing.
True the hand that wears the Ring.

Integrity must be your guide.
Let ethics temper misplaced pride.
Dishonour cannot know your face,
as deeds shall leave a lasting trace.
Uphold the Code―it spans all things.
Heavy the hand that wears the Ring.

For iron binds you to this land,
from oceans deep to mountains grand.
Make no advance at its expense
without a means for recompense.
Into your care our world for keeping.
Wise the hand that wears the Ring.

Eternal bonds you forge today
to heed the call without delay.
Now stand and join your worthy peers.
Set forth towards unmapped frontiers.
A life of service this will bring.
Noble the hand that wears the Ring

 

Hymn of Breaking Strain

Rudyard Kipling

1935

THE careful text-books measure
(Let all who build beware!) 
The load, the shock, the pressure
Material can bear. 
So, when the buckled girder
Lets down the grinding span, 
'The blame of loss, or murder, 
Is laid upon the man. 
Not on  the Stuff - the Man!

But in our daily dealing 
With stone and steel, we find
The Gods have no such feeling
Of justice toward mankind. 
To no set gauge they make us- 
For no laid course prepare-
And presently o'ertake us
With loads we cannot bear: 
Too merciless to bear.  

The prudent text-books give it 
In tables at the end
'The stress that shears a rivet 
Or makes a tie-bar bend-
'What traffic wrecks macadam-
What concrete should endure-
but we, poor Sons of Adam
Have no such literature,
To warn us or make sure! 

We hold all Earth to plunder -
All Time and Space as well-
Too wonder-stale to wonder
At each new miracle;
Till, in the mid-illusion
Of Godhead 'neath our hand,
Falls multiple confusion
On all we did or planned-
 The mighty works we planned.  

We only of Creation
(0h, luckier bridge and rail) 
Abide the twin damnation-    
To fail and know we fail.
Yet we - by which sole token
We know we once were Gods-
Take shame in being broken
However great the odds-
The burden of the Odds. 

Oh, veiled and secret Power
Whose paths we seek in vain,
Be with us in our hour
Of overthrow and pain;
That we - by which sure token
We know Thy ways are true -
In spite of being broken,
Because of being broken
May rise and build anew
Stand up and build anew