Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/484

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466
RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

O the oont, O the oont, O the floppin', droppin' oont!
When 'is long legs give from under an' 'is meltin' eye is dim,
The tribes is up be'ind us, and the tribes is out in front
It ain't no jam for Tommy, but it's kites an' crows for 'im.

So when the cruel march is done, an' when the roads is blind,
An' when we sees the camp in front an' 'ears the shots be'ind,
Ho! then we strips 'is saddle off, and all 'is woes is past:
'E thinks on us that used 'im so, and gets revenge at last.
O the oont, O the oont, O the floatin', bloatin' oont!
The late lamented camel in the water-cut 'e lies;
We keeps a mile be'ind 'im an' we keeps a mile in front,
But 'e gets into the drinkin'-casks, and then o' course we dies.


LOOT

IF YOU'VE ever stole a pheasant-egg be'ind the keeper's back,
If you've ever snigged the washin' from the line,
If you've ever crammed a gander in your bloomin' 'aversack,
You will understand this little song o' mine.
But the service rules are 'ard, an' from such we are debarred,
For the same with English morals does not suit.
(Comet: Toot! toot!)
Why, they call a man a robber if 'e stuffs 'is marchin' clobber[1]
With the—
(Chorus) Loo! loo! Lulu! lulu! Loo! loo! Lulu! Loot! loot! loot!
Ow the loot!
Bloomin' loot!

  1. Clothes.