TO THE RANK AND FILE OF
THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS
AMONGST WHOM I SPENT SIX HAPPY YEARS
OF MY LIFE, THIS COLLECTION OF VERSES
MOSTLY WRITTEN IN BARRACKS
IS ADMIRINGLY
DEDICATED
RONDEBOSCH
_April_ 4, 1900
_'Ginger James' appeared originally in the 'Daily Chronicle,' 'Make your
own Arrangements' in the 'Pall Mall Gazette,' as also did 'T. A. in
Love.' 'Legacies' is reproduced by the kind permission of the 'Daily
News,' and 'Arthur' and 'Her Majesty has been Pleased--' of the 'Evening
News.' Most of the others are new to the English reader._
*CONTENTS*
WAR
ARMY DOCTOR
NICHOLSON'S NEK
MY PAL, THE BOER
SONG OF THE FIRST TRAIN THROUGH
THE NAVAL BRIGADE
THE ARMOURED TRAIN
MAKE YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENTS
GINGER JAMES
'HER MAJESTY HAS BEEN PLEASED--'
ARTHUR
LEGACIES
T. A. IN LOVE
TOMMY ADVISES
THE NUMBER ONE
BRITANNIA TO HER FIRST-BORN
TOMMY TO HIS LAUREATE
THE MISSION THAT FAILED
THE PRAYER
CEASE FIRE
TOMMY'S AUTOGRAPH
AT THE BRINK!
THE KING OF OOJEE-MOOJEE
THE SONG OF THE TOWN
BY SIMON'S BAY
THE SQUIRE
THE SEA-NATION
NATURE FAILS
THE COLONEL'S GARDEN
THE PEOPLE TO CECIL JOHN RHODES, JULY 18, 1899
WHEN LONDON CALLS!
CAIROWARDS
ODE TO THE OPENING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXHIBITION, 1898
*WAR*
I
A tent that is pitched at the base:
A wagon that comes from the night:
A stretcher--and on it a Case:
A surgeon, who's holding a light.
The Infantry's bearing the brunt--
O hark to the wind-carried cheer!
A mutter of guns at the front:
A whimper of sobs at the rear.
And it's _War_! 'Orderly, hold the light.
You can lay him down on the table: so.
Easily--gently! Thanks--you may go.'
And it's War! but the part that is not for show.