THE SENTRY’S LULLABY TO A SHIRKER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1456, 7 October 1915, Page 4

THE SENTRY’S LULLABY TO A SHIRKER.

Hush thee, gentle shirker, sleep

In thy nest so warm ; Foes from thee I’ll strive to keep ; Sleep thee, fear no harm. Not far off the guns are mumbling, Homes and ancient temples tumbling : Still I’ll guard thee, sweet civilian, Thou and that refraining million. Though the icy night winds chafe, What care I since thou sleep safe. Hush ! Hush !

Let no dreams thy rest disturb As to landing Huns : We will keep them on the curb,

Guard thee from their guns. Let no foolish dreams of duty Mar thy sleep and spoil thy beauty: Hush ! think not of Belgium’s

sorrow, Thou hast golf to play to morrow ; Herein mud and rain I tread, Thanking heav’n thou’rt safe in bed. Hush ! hush !

Angry clouds the heavens rake

I’m so filled with fear Lest thou should perchance awake

Wake and volunteer. Pretty one, so sweetly snoring, Thy strong bands weren’t meant

for warring, They were meant to smite together At the goaling of the leather. And thou hast a sweetheart true. Some of ns have sweethearts, too. Still that need not thee upset, Slumber on, my pretty pet. Hush ! hush !

Chilly dawn once more propelled By Time’s heartless hub, Shows fair England still uushelled, Safe thy pub. and club. For thy health great men are bleeding, Heroes drown to keep thee feeding, . . Peer and plebeian lives are giving, Much as they, like thee, love living. Sportsmen die to stay the Hun, Holing such as thee “in one.” Athletes die lest through the poles Black Maria shoots some goals.

Blood runs fast lest they home

totter, Sleep on sweetly, hopeless rotter. —Gunner Stanley C. West, R.F.A