Page:Departmental Ditties and Ballads and Barrack-Room Ballads, Kipling, 1899.djvu/55

 THE LAST DEPARTMENT

whole or clean," we cry, "or free from stain

Of favour." Wait awhile, till we attain

The Last Department where nor fraud nor fools,

Nor grade nor greed, shall trouble us again.

Fear, Favour, or Affection—what are these

To the grim Head who claims our services?

I never knew a wife or interest yet

Delay that pukka step, miscalled "decease";

When leave, long over-due, none can deny;

When idleness of all Eternity

Becomes our furlough, and the marigold

Our thriftless, bullion-minting Treasury

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