The Last Laugh

'Oh! Jesus Christ! I'm hit,' he said; and died.
Whether he vainly cursed or prayed indeed,
        The Bullets chirped---In vain, vain, vain!
        Machine-guns chuckled---Tut-tut! Tut-tut!
        And the Big Gun guffawed. (5)

Another sighed---'O Mother,---Mother,---Dad!'
Then smiled at nothing, childlike, being dead.
        And the lofty Shrapnel-cloud
        Leisurely gestured,---Fool!
        And the splinters spat, and tittered. (10)

'My Love!' one moaned. Love-languid seemed his mood,
Till slowly lowered, his whole face kissed the mud.
        And the Bayonets' long teeth grinned;
        Rabbles of Shells hooted and groaned;
        And the Gas hissed. (15)

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