Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/750

 "To blow things to bits is our business (and Fritz's),

Which means there are mine-fields wherever you stroll.

Unless you've particular wish to die quick, you'll a-

void steering close to the North Sea Patrol.

"We warn from disaster the mercantile master

Who takes in high Dudgeon our life-saving role,

For every one's grousing at Docking and Dowsing

The marks and the lights on the North Sea Patrol."

[Twelve verses omitted.]

So swept but surviving, half drowned but still driving,

I watched her head out through the swell off the shoal,

And I heard her propellers roar: "Write to poor fellers

Who run such a Hell as the North Sea Patrol !"

THORKILD'S SONG

HERE'S no wind along these seas,

Out oars for Stavanger !

''Forward all for Stavanger ! ''

So we must wake the white-ash breeze,

''Let fall for Stavanger ! ''

''A long pull for Stavanger ! ''

Oh, hear the benches creak and strain !

(A long pull for Stavanger !) 

She thinks she smells the Northland rain!

(A long pull for Stavanger !) 

She thinks she smells the Northland snow,

And she's as glad as we to go. 