Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/554

 536 RUDYARD KIPLING'S VERSE

Only two African kopjes,

Only the vultures above, Only baboons at the bottom,

Only some buck on the move; Only a Kensington draper

Only pretending to scout. . . Only bad news for the paper,

Only another knock-out.

Then mock not the African kopje, And rub not your flank on its side,

The silent and simmering kopje, The kopje beloved by the guide.

You can never be y etc.

Only two African kopjes,

Only the dust of their wheels, Only a bolted commando,

Only our guns at their heels. . . Only a little barb-wire,

Only a natural fort, Only "by sections retire,"

Only "regret to report!"

Then mock not the African kopje, Especially when it is twins,

One sharp and one table-topped kopje For that's where the trouble begins.

You never can be, etc.

Only two African kopjes Baited the same as before

Only we've had it so often, Only we're taking no more