Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/518

 500 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

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, And we'll make you svldiers yet ?

Soldiers yet, ijyouve got it in you

All for the sake of the Core; Soldiers yet, if we 'ave to skin you

Run an' get the beer, Johnny Raw Johnny Raw !

Ho ! run an' get the beer, Johnny Raw !

CHOLERA CAMP

(Infantry in India)

got the cholerer in camp it's worse than forty fights;

We're dyin' in the wilderness the same as Isrulites; It's before us, an' be'ind us, an' we cannot get away, An' the doctor's just reported we've ten more to-day!

Oh, strike your camp an' go, the bugle's callin',

The Rains arefallin'

The dead are bushed an' stoned to keep 'em safe below. The Band's a-doin 'all she knows to cheer us; The Chaplain's gone and prayed to Gawd to 'ear us

To 'ear us Lord, for it's a-killin of us so !

Since August, when it started, it's been stickin' to our tail, Though they've 'ad us out by marches an' they've 'ad us

back by rail;

But it runs as fast as troop trains, and we cannot get away; An' the sick-list to the Colonel makes ten more to-day.