548 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE
Ah there, Piet! picked up be'ind the drive! . The wonder wasn't 'ow 'e fought, but 'ow 'e kep' alive, With nothin' in 'is belly, on 'is back, or to 'is feet I've known a lot o' men behave a dam' sight worse than Piet.
No more I'll 'ear 'is rifle crack
Along the block'ouse fence The beggar's on the peaceful tack,
Regardless of expense; For countin' what 'e eats an' draws,
An' gifts an' loans as well, 'E's gettin' 'alf the Earth, because 'E didn't give us 'Ell!
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}
'TWERE is a world outside the one you know,
To which for curiousness 'Ell can't compare It is the place where "wilful-missings" go, As we can testify, for we are there.
You may 'ave read a bullet laid us low,
That we was gathered in "with reverent care"
And buried proper. But it was not so, As we can testify, for we are there!
