I ain't transported with delight. Be'ind the pegged barb-wire strands, If I 'ave learned at Waterval The meanin' of captivity. They'll never know the shame that brands- They'll get those draggin' days all right, I PIET (Regular of the Line) Do not love my Empire's foes, What is the sense of 'atin' those Ah there, Piet!-'is trousies to 'is knees, 'Is coat-tails lyin' level in the bullet-sprinkled breeze; I've known a lot o' people ride a dam' sight worse than I've 'eard 'im cryin' from the ground I've waited on till 'e was dead (Which couldn't 'elp 'im much), But many grateful things 'e 's said To me for doin' such. Ah there, Piet! whose time 'as come to die, 'Is carcase past rebellion, but 'is eyes inquirin' why. I've known a lot o' fellers go a dam' sight worse than An' when there was n't aught to do But camp and cattle-guards, I've fought with 'im the 'ole day through Long afternoons o' lyin' still, The bullets swish from 'ill to 'ill Ah there, Piet!-be'ind 'is stony kop. With 'is Boer bread an' biltong,' an' 'is flask of awful 'Is Mauser for amusement an' 'is pony for retreat, I've known a lot o' fellers shoot a dam' sight worse. than Piet. He's shoved 'is rifle 'neath my nose An' borrowed all my Sunday clo'es An' I 'ave crept (Lord, 'ow I've crept!) On 'ands an' knees I've gone, And spoored and floored and caught and kept Ah there, Piet!-you've sold me many a pup, When week on week alternate it was you an' me "'ands up!" But though I never made you walk man-naked in the 'eat, I've known a lot of fellows stalk a dam' sight worse than From Plewman's to Marabastad, Me an' my trusty friend 'ave 'ad, I ain't more proud of 'avin' won, Ah there, Piet!-picked up be'ind the drive! The wonder wasn't 'ow 'e fought, but 'ow 'e kep' alive, No more I'll 'ear 'is rifle crack For countin' what 'e eats an' draws, 'E's gettin' 'alf the Earth, because Ah there, Piet! with your brand-new English plough, Your gratis tents an' cattle, an' your most ungrateful frow, You've made the British taxpayer rebuild your country seat I've known some pet battalions charge a dam' sight less than Piet. "WILFUL-MISSING" (Deserters) THERE is a world outside the one you know, You may 'ave read a bullet laid us low, That we was gathered in "with reverent care" As we can testify,-for we are there! They can't be certain-faces alter so After the old aasvogel1 's 'ad 'is share. The uniform 's the mark by which they go And ain't it odd?-the one we best can spare. We might 'ave seen our chance to cut the showName, number, record, an' begin elsewhereLeavin' some not too late-lamented foe One funeral-private-British-for 'is share. We may 'ave took it yonder in the Low We might 'ave been your lovers long ago, Marry again, and we will not say no, There is no need to give our reasons, though What man can weigh or size another's woe? As we can testify, for we are there, 1 Vulture. |