THE HERO'S WAGE.
[" The Central News Agency states, that in consideration of the gallantry displayed by the non-commissioned officers and men at Rorke's Drift, the issue has been sanctioned of one pair of trousers and one flannel shirt to each man who was present on the occasion, to compensate for damage done to their clothing."—Daily News.] I HELD my post the grim night through, The savage foe before me ;
For England's sake the sword I drew,— The bonny land that bore me.
Not mine to think of wrong or right, Of party-creeds or glories ; I do my duty with my might, And die for Whigs or Tories.
They say, had Gladstone governed us, That man of gloom and mystery, We should have battled for the Russ, And finished Turkish history.
They say, had Layard in his pride Led British troops to action ; We should have fought on t'other side, With equal satisfaction.
But seeing that it's only Diz.
(Man Saturday to back him), We find some chief of savages, And manfully attack him.
Hurrah for England all the same ! It's heads we win, tails you lose,— Whatever be your blessed name, Russians, or Turks, or Zulus.
Britannia's bound to rule the roast, And foes like hares to startle; I like the man who hits the most,— So say I,—" Go it, Bartle !"
Now—for our gallantry displayed— The Central News informs us, That with new shirts, upon parade, A grateful country warms us.
The governors at home, d'ye see, Like us, to duty martyrs, May write themselves as K.C.B., Or strut about in Garters.
To make her soldiers spick and span, Out of her bounteous riches, England expects that every man This day shall wear,—his breeches !- A gentle hint to Zulu foes, While we to pieces tear 'em, That 'tie, as annexation goes, The proper thing to wear 'em.
Let stars and orders rain apace : We military mousers Owe to Victoria's Royal grace The order of the trousers.
With cloth of red adorn our ranks,—
But, as they're full of sick ones, Please make, my lords, with many thanks, Our blushing honours thick ones. H. C. IL
Previous page
