Part 45 (1/2)
Miniver loved the days of old When swords were bright and steeds were prancing; The vision of a warrior bold Would set him dancing.
Miniver sighed for what was not, And dreamed and rested from his labors; He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot And Priam's neighbors.
Miniver mourned the ripe renown That made so many a name so fragrant; He mourned Romance, now on the town, And Art, a vagrant.
Miniver loved the Medici, Albeit he had never seen one; He would have sinned incessantly Could he have been one.
Miniver cursed the commonplace, And eyed a khaki suit with loathing; He missed the mediaeval grace Of iron clothing.
Miniver scorned the gold he sought, But sore annoyed he was without it; Miniver thought and thought and thought And thought about it.
Miniver Cheevy, born too late, Scratched his head and kept on thinking; Miniver coughed, and called it fate, And kept on drinking.
_Edwin Arlington Robinson._
THE RECRUIT
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 figger wants padd'n'-- Sure, man, ye've no shape!
Behind ye yer shoulders Stick out like two boulders; Yer s.h.i.+ns is as thin As a pair of pen-holders!
Wan--two!
Wan--two!
Yer belly belongs 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 your eye.
Ye're gettin' too bold, ye Compel me to scold ye,-- Tis halt! that I say,-- Will ye heed what I told ye?