The Dead-Beat

He dropped,---more sullenly than wearily,
Lay stupid like a cod, heavy like meat,
And none of us could kick him to his feet;
---Just blinked at my revolver, blearily;
---Didn't appear to know a war was on, (5)
Or see the blasted trench at which he stared.
'I'll do 'em in,' he whined. 'If this hand's spared,
I'll murder them, I will.'

A low voice said,
'It's Blighty, p'raps, he sees; his pluck's all gone, (10)
Dreaming of all the valiant, that aren't dead:
Bold uncles, smiling ministerially;
Maybe his brave young wife, getting her fun
In some new home, improved materially.
It's not these stiffs have crazed him; nor the Hun.' (15)

We sent him down at last, out of the way.
Unwounded;---stout lad, too, before that strafe.
Malingering? Stretcher-bearers winked, 'Not half!'

Next day I heard the Doc's well-whiskied laugh:
'That scum you sent last night soon died. Hooray!' (20)

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