John Mason, tinker of watches, Became a soldier one day, And carried his instruments with him, As he sturdily marched away. "For surely," he chuckled in secret, "My tools will be useful still, And bring me in many a shilling, When the army discovers my skill." It happened the way he expected, And soon he had all he could do Repairing the renegade watches Of privates and officers too. He forgot that he was a soldier, And when ordered against the foe, He said, "I've a dozen watches To mend, sir, and how can I go?" Ah, thus we also are busy With tasks that we greedily take, And not for the good of the army, And not for the Kingdom's sake. And then when the foe is attacking, And our Captain seeks soldiers to send We answer: "It's out of the question! I've a dozen watches to mend!" |