Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/536

 Si8 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

There was me 'e 'd kissed in the sentry-box,

As I 'ave not told in my song, But I took my oath, which were Bible-truth,

I 'adn't seen nothin' wrong.

There's them that's 'ot an' 'aughty,

There's them that's cold an' 'ard, But there comes a night when the best gets tight,

And then turns out the Guard. I've seen them 'ide their liquor

In every kind o' way, But most depends on makin' friends

With Privit Thomas A.!

When it is "Rounds! What Rounds? 'E's breathin' through 'is nose.

'E's reeling rolling roarin', tight, but, sentry, shut your eye" An' it is "Pass ! All's well !" An that's the way it goes:

We'll 'elp 'imjor 'is mother y an 'e'll 'elp us by -an -by !

"MARY, PITY WOMEN!"

VOU call yourself a man,

For all you used to swear, An' leave me, as you can,

My certain shame to bear?

I 'ear! You do not care You done the worst you know.

I 'ate you, grinnin' there. . . . Ah, Gawd, I love you so!

Nice while it las ted an' now it is over Tear out your 'eart an' good-bye to your lover ! What's the use o' grievin', when the mother that bore you (Mary, pity women /) knew it all before you ?