Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/555

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 537

Only a wave to our troopers,

Only our flanks swinging past, Only a dozen voorloopers, 1

Only we've learned it at last!

Then mock not the African kopje,

But take off your hat to the same, The patient, impartial old kopje,

The kopje that taught us the game! For all that we knew in the Columns,

And all they've forgot on the Staff, We learned at the Fight o' Two Kopjes,

Which lasted two years an' a half.

O mock not the African kopje,

Not even when peace has been signed The kopje that isn't a kopje

The kopje that copies its kind. You can never be sure of your kopje,

But of this be you blooming well sure, That a kopje is always a kopje,

And a Boojer is always a Boer!

THE INSTRUCTOR

(Non-commissioned Officers of the Line)

AT TIMES when under cover I 'ave said, To keep my spirits up an' raise a laugh, 'Earin 'im pass so busy over-'ead Old. Nickel-Neck, 'oo is n't on the Staff " There's one above is greater than us all."

1 Leading horseman of the enemy.