Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE SOLDIER TIRED, by ALFRED DENNIS GODLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE SOLDIER TIRED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My tomkins! Why sheathe your invincible steel
Last Line: You'll be in it, my tomkins, again!
Alternate Author Name(s): Godley, A. D.
Subject(s): Militarism


My Tomkins! why sheathe your invincible steel,
And return to an era of prose?
You were eloquent once on your Country's Appeal
And the need of repelling her foes:
You established it clear that your natural sphere
Was the region of battles and blood:
But your ardour for gore would appear to be o'er --
As you think that you're out of the wood.

Have you wholly forgot how you glorified Force
With an air that was martial and stern?
How you drilled and you shot: how you rode on a horse
(Or expressed an intention to learn)?
How you went into Camp and were hungry and damp
(Which was all for your ultimate good),
How you slept in a tent -- till your ardour was spent,
And you thought you were out of the wood?

You would prate by the yard in the stress of the storm
On the need of Machinery New,
And you bored me to death with your Army Reform
And the things Mr. Brodrick should do:
But a slump, I presume, has come after the Boom,
As an ebb will succeed to a flood,
And you'll alter the caps of your Army -- perhaps, --
'Tis enough, when you're out of the wood.

O the helmet you wore is replaced on its rack,
And the sword's in a scabbard again,
And you do not discourse on a Frontal Attack
With the persons you meet in the train,
But you solace your soul with the Oaf at the goal,
And applaud the disgusting display
Of the Fool at the crease (he's the hero of peace)
In your ancient ridiculous way!

Yet remember once more, ere your weapons you drop,
And desist from your efforts to kill --
There are parties abroad with an eye on your shop
And the cash that you keep in the till:
For the change in your mien that I've recently seen
Has an ending regrettably plain:
So pacific your mood, now you're clear of the wood,
You'll be in it, my Tomkins, again!





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