Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RECRUIT by ROBERT WILLIAM CHAMBERS

First Line: SEZ CORPORAL MADDEN TO PRIVATE MCFADDEN
Last Line: THE RIGIMENT'S FLATTHERED TO OWN YE, ME SPARK!
Subject(s): SOLDIERS;
Sez Corporal Madden to Private McFadden:
"Bedad, yer a bad 'un!
Now turn out yer toes!
Yer belt is unhookit,
Yer cap is on crookit,
Ye may not be dhrunk,
But, be jabers, ye look it!
Wan -- two!
Wan -- two!
Ye monkey-faced divil, I'll jolly ye through!
Wan -- two! --
Time! Mark!
Ye march like the aigle in Cintheral Parrk!"

Sez Corporal Madden to Private McFadden:
"A saint it ud sadden
To dhrill such a mug!
Eyes front! -- ye baboon, ye! --
Chin up! -- ye gossoon, ye!
Ye've jaws like a goat --
Halt! ye leather-lipped loon, ye!
Wan -- two!
Wan -- two!
Ye whiskered orang-outang, I'll fix you!
Wan -- two! --
Time! Mark!
Ye've eyes like a bat! -- can ye see in the dark?"

Sez Corporal Madden to Private McFadden:
"Yer rigger wants padd'n' --
Sure, man, ye've no shape!
Behind ye yer shoulders
Stick out like two bowlders;
Yer shins is as thin
As a pair of pen-holders!
Wan -- two!
Wan -- two!
Yer belly belong on yer back, ye Jew!
Wan -- two! --
Time! Mark!
I'm dhry as a dog -- I can't shpake but I bark!"

Sez Corporal Madden to Private McFadden:
"Me heart it ud gladden
To blacken yer eye.
Ye're gettin' too bold, ye
Compel me to scold ye, --
'T is halt! that I say, --
Will ye heed what I told ye?
Wan -- two!
Wan -- two!
Be jabers, I'm dhryer than Brian Boru!
Wan -- two!
Time! Mark!
What's wur-ruk for chickens is sport for the
lark!"

Sez Corporal Madden to Private McFadden:
"I'll not stay a gadd'n
Wid dagoes like you!
I'll travel no farther,
I'm dyin' for -- wather; --
Come on, if ye like, --
Can ye loan me a quather?
Ya-as, you,
What, -- two?
And ye'll pay the potheen? Ye're a daisy!
Whurroo!
You'll do!
Whist! Mark!
The Rigiment's flatthered to own ye, me spark!


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