Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/516

 498 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

We was rotten 'fore we started we was never disciplined;

We made it out a favour if an order was obeyed. Yes, every little drummer 'ad 'is rights an' wrongs to mind,

So we had to pay for teachin* an' we paid!

The papers 'id it 'andsome, but you know the Army knows;

We was put to groomin' camels till the regiments withdrew, An' they gave us each a medal for subduin' England's foes,

An' I 'ope you like my song because it's true!

An* there ain't no chorus 'ere to give,

Nor there ain't no band to play; But I wish I was dead 'fore I done what I did,

Or seen what I seed that day !

"THE MEN THAT FOUGHT AT MINDEN"

(In the Lodge of Instruction)

HPHE men that fought at Minden, they was rookies in their time

So was them that fought at Waterloo! All the 'ole command, yuss, from Minden to Maiwand,

They was once dam' sweeps like you!

Then do not be discouraged, 'Eaven is your 'elper,

We'll learn you not to forget;

An you mustn't swear an curse, or you'll only catch it worse,

For we'll make you soldiers yet !

The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad stocks beneath their chins,

Six inch 'igh an' more; But fatigue it was their pride, and they would not be denied

To clean the cook-'ouse floor.