Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/164

150 When the skies are black above them, and the decks ablaze beneath,

And the top-men clear the raffle with their clasp-knives in their teeth.

It may be that Fate will give me life and leave to row once more—

Set some strong man free for righting as I take awhile his oar.

But to-day I leave the galley. Shall I curse her service then?

God be thanked—whate'er comes after, I have lived and toiled with Men!