Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/43

 WHAT HAPPENED

Chunder Mookerjee, pride of Bow Bazar,

Owner of a native press, "Barrishter-at-Lar,"

Waited on the Government with a claim to wear

Sabres by the bucketful, rifles by the pair.

Then the Indian Government winked a wicked wink,

Said to Chunder Mookerjee: "Stick to pen and ink.

They are safer implements, but, if you insist,

We will let you carry arms wheresoe'er you list."

Hurree Chunder Mookerjee sought the gunsmith and

Bought the tubes of Lancaster, Ballard, Dean, and Bland,

Bought a shiny bowie-knife, bought a town-made sword,

Jingled like a carriage-horse when he went abroad.

But the Indian Government, always keen to please,

Also gave permission to horrid men like these—