Page:The Five Nations.djvu/220

200 I've 'eard 'im cryin' from the ground

Like Abel's blood of old,

An' skirmished out to look, an' found

The beggar nearly cold;

I've waited on till 'e was dead

(Which couldn't 'elp 'im much),

But many grateful things 'e's said

To me for doin' such.

Ah there, Piet! whose time 'as come to die,

'Is carcase past rebellion, but 'is eyes inquirin' why.

Though dressed in stolen uniform with badge o' rank complete,

I've known a lot o' fellers go a dam' sight worse than Piet.

An' when there wasn't aught to do

But camp and cattle-guards,

I've fought with 'im the 'ole day through

At fifteen 'undred yards;

Long afternoons o' lyin' still,

An' 'earin' as you lay

The bullets swish from 'ill to 'ill

Like scythes among the 'ay.