Punch/Volume 147/Issue 3826/Little and Good

by Jessie Pope

LITTLE AND GOOD.

Young Thompson was a bit too short,
 But hard as nails and level-headed,
And in his soul the proper sort
 Of dogged pluck was deeply bedded;
To join the ranks he almost ran,
 But saw the weedy supersede him;
Though he was every inch a man,
 His country didn't need him.

He read each passionate appeal
 On wall and window, cab and cart;
How impotent they made him feel!
 He tried once more, though sick at heart.
In vain! He saw the sergeants smirk;
 He argued, but they wouldn't heed him;
So sullenly trudged back to work—
 His country didn't need him.

But, now the standard height's curtailed,
 Again he goes to join the ranks;
Though yesterday he tried and failed
 To-day they welcome him with thanks.
Apparently he's just as small,
 But, since his size no more impedes him,
In spirit he is six foot tall—
 Because his country needs him.

 

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