POETRY.

" WOUNDED BEFORE THE WAR."

BADGES FOR THE MEDICALLY UNFIT.

(Suggested by a phrase in Mr. St. Lee Strachey's letter accompanying his Badges for recruits rejected on medical grounds printed in the "Spectator," October 3rd, 1914.) WERE you ploughed for the sake of an inch of height,

Spun in your medical test, Told you couldn't go out to fight

Because of a flaw in your teeth—or sight—

Or chest? . . .

What do you think's your duty, then? To grumble and repine?

Or to look for a way to help the men who're fit for the fighting line P There's many a man been spun like you And told to stay behind, Many a man who's keen and true With wheezy lungs, or a joint askew, Or blind... .

Pocket your pride, and set your jaw!

It isn't the time to whine !

Do what you can to help the War, and those in the fighting line.

One needn't be slugged by a splintered shell To cherish one's British pride !

Some can charge in the teeth of Hell—

Others can do their share as well Outside!

" Wounded before the war began," Your job may be just as fine, Doing your share as an earnest man behind the fighting line.

Some must work while the War goes on (There's stacks of work to do !) And the daily duty dawns anon Though glamour and glory be dead and gone

For you—

The chance to die on the field of fame may not be yours or mine, But—a Briton's a Briton all the same—even behind the line!