THE SENTRY'S LULLABY TO A SHIRKER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1915, Page 9

THE SENTRY'S LULLABY TO A SHIRKER.

Hush tliee, gentle shirker, sleep In thy nest so warm: Foes from thee I'll strive to keep: Sleep thee, fear no harm. Not far o/T the guns are mumbling, Homes and ancient temples tumbling: Still I'll guard thee, sweet civilian, Tliou and that refraining million, Though the icy niglit 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 Borrow, Thou hast golf to play to-morrow: Here in 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 ehouldst perchance awake: Wake and. volunteer, Pretty one; so sweetly snoring, Thy strong hand's 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 us have sweethearts, too. Still that need not thee upset, Slumber on, my pretty pet. Hush! hush! Chilly dawn once more propelled By Time's heartess bub, Shows fair England still unshelled, Safe thy pub. and club. I<or 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 lost through the poles, Black Maria shoots some goals, Blood runs fast lest they home totter, Sleep on sweetly, hopeless rotter. —Gunner Stanley G. West, R.F.A.