Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/492

 HEN the 'arf-made recruity goes out to the East 'E acts like a babe an' 'e drinks like a beast, An' 'e wonders because 'e is frequent deceased Ere 'e 's fit for to serve as a soldier. Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, So-oldier of the Queen !

Now all you recruities what's drafted to-day, You shut up your rag-box an' 'ark to my lay, An' I'll sing you a soldier as far as I may: A soldier what's fit for a soldier. Fit, fit, fit for a soldier. ..

First mind you steer clear o' the grog-sellers' huts, For they sell you Fixed Bay'nets that rots out your guts- Ay, drink that 'ud eat the live steel from your butts An' it's bad for the young British soldier. Bad, bad, bad for the soldier. ..

When the cholera comes as it will past a doubt Keep out of the wet and don't go on the shout, For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out, An' it crumples the young British soldier. Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier. ..

But the worst o' your foes is the sun over'ead: You must wear your 'elmet for all that is said: If 'e finds you uncovered Vll knock you down dead, An' you'll die like a fool of a soldier. Fool, fool, fool of a soldier. ..