STOW IT!

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 71, 18 March 1902, Page 2

STOW IT!

* —— i .Respectfully dedicated to pro-Boer j Orators and Writers. There's a time a cove may argue, There's a time when he may talk And may criticise the politics of kingß; Or advise a leading stateeman [ Just to pack his kit aod walk Since be d 'psn't know the rudiments of i things. ! There's a time when you may tell a bloke

You think that he's a fool, Or a nation she's unjust and ought to know it But, oece a war is started, You should learn this golden rule— If you've got advice, it's just as well to stow it. When the dogs of war are loosen'd, When the Boc-r is on the raid, W hen from hearth and home our boys go forth to battle, When the weeping of the mother When the anguish of the maid Ara swift sileoced by the deadly cannons' rattle : You may have your doubts, atid question The wisdom of the fray ; You may call upon the nation to foregoit, But if you know your duty, "Which is clearer than the day, You will act upon my solemn tip and stow it While a nation's blood is flowing And the vict'ry's not yet won, While the tide of battle surges to and fro, While a thousand wounded comrades Lie thera parcbiag in the sun, And our dead are claiming vengeance on the fon: While the battle smoke is shrouding Our tranches on the veldt, And shells are shrieking madly o'er the spruit, You may raise your voice and charge us That we've struck below the bait, But it's jttsifc the time a decent chap would stow it. Whila Old England stands upbraided , By the nations of tbe earth • Who are longing For a chance to strike a blew •• J At the liberty we cherish, | At tbe land that gave us birth, b At the power they are hoping to lay low Yoa may call yourself a Briton ■ And say your motive's pure, ' But if you love your country why not s sbow it; [ Or bottle up your counsels 6 Till you go and join the Boer. ■ While you live with loyal subjects—- | Now, just stow it, > D. O'Sullivan. | March 15th, 1902.