"The tumult and the shouting dies / The ... and the kings depart" (Kipling) (8)

I believe the answer is:

captains

(Other definitions for captains that I've seen before include "Officers below major" , "Officers, in command of ships say (8)" , "Commanders of troops" , "Commanders, naval say" , "Leading men" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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