Rudyard Kipling's verse

[Scylax]

Does anyone today commit vast tracts of Kipling's
poetry to memory, as I did as a boy and young adult ?

[chaotica]

No

[reinganum]

Many schoolteachers used to like Kipling � particularly If which is quoted so often it's almost hackneyed now.
My favourite Kipling is The Gods of the Copybook Headings which all politicians ought to be made to memorize.

[Scylax]

Lord Wavell (F.M.) was another afficcionado. His
anthology: 'Other Men's Flowers' contains Kipling ++.
And yes, 'Gods of the Copybook Headings' is a
classic, and anathema to most politicians.
Very recitable (I find) are :'The Female of the Species',
'The Islanders', 'Cleared', 'The Law of the Jungle' and
'Sestina of the Tramp Royal'.
I find Kipling's poetry to be memorable at the first
reading ; no effort required. That's the genius of the
man.
The first poem I learned 'by heart' was 'The
Benefactors', followed quickly by :'McDonaugh's Song'.
And I'm still learning.