Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/101

Rh For, think you, as the vapours flee

Across Sanjaolie after rain,

His soul may climb the hill again

To each old field of victory.

Unseen, who women held so dear,

The strong man's yearning to his kind

Shall shake at most the window-blind,

Or dull awhile the card-room's cheer.

In his own place of power unknown,

His Light o' Love another's flame,

His dearest pony galloped lame,

And he an alien and alone.

Yet may he meet with many a friend—

Shrewd shadows, lingering long unseen

Among us when "God save the Queen"

Shows even "extras" have an end.

And, when we leave the heated room,

And, when at four the lights expire,

The crew shall gather round the fire

And mock our laughter in the gloom.