Page:The moods of Ginger Mick.djvu/38

30 'E wus a man uv vierlence, wus Mick, Coarse wiv 'is speech an' in 'is manner low, Slick wiv 'is 'ands, an' 'andy wiv a brick When bricks wus needful to defeat a foe. An' now 'e's gone an' mizzled to the war, An' some blokes 'as the nerve to arst "Wot for?"

Wot for? Gawstruth! 'E wus no patriot That sits an' brays advice in days uv strife; 'E never flapped no flags nor sich like rot; 'E never sung "Gawsave" in all 'is life. 'E wus dispised be them that make sich noise; But now—O strike!—'e's "one uv our brave boys."

'E's one uv our brave boys, all right, all right. 'Is early trainin' down in Spadger's Lane Done 'im no 'arm fer this 'ere orl-in fight; 'Is loss o' culcher is 'is country's gain. 'Im wiv 'is carst-ir'n chiv an' leery ways— An' swell tarts 'eavin' 'im sweet words o' praise.

Why did 'e go? 'E 'ad a decent job, 'Is tart an' 'im they could 'a' made it right. Why does a wild bull fight to guard the mob? Why does a bloomin' bull-ant look fer fight? Why does a rooster scrap an' flap an' crow? 'E went becos 'e dam well 'ad to go.