Poem by Rudyard Kipling

«Barrack-Room Ballads». 35. The Sergeant’s Weddin’

’E was warned agin’ ’er —
         That’s what made ’im look; 
She was warned agin’ ’im-
         That is why she took. 
’Wouldn’t ’ear no reason,
         ’Went an’ done it blind; 
We know all about ’em,
         They’ve got all to find! 
Cheer for the Sergeant’s weddin’—   
         Give ’em one cheer more!   
Grey gun-’orses in the lando,   
         An’ a rogue is married to, etc.   
What’s the use o’ tellin’
         ’Arf the lot she’s been? 
’E’s a bloomin’ robber,
         An’ ’e keeps canteen. 
’Ow did ’e get ’is buggy?
         Gawd, you needn’t ask! 
’Made ’is forty gallon
         Out of every cask! 
Watch ’im, with ’is ’air cut,
         Count us filin’ by — 
Won’t the Colonel praise ’is
         Pop — u — lar — i — ty! 
We ’ave scores to settle —
         Scores for more than beer; 
She’s the girl to pay ’em —
         That is why we’re ’ere! 
See the chaplain thinkin’?
         See the women smile? 
Twig the married winkin’
         As they take the aisle? 
Keep your side-arms quiet,
         Dressin’ by the Band. 
Ho! You ’oly beggars,
         Cough be’ind your ’and! 
Now it’s done an’ over,
         ’Ear the organ squeak, 
“ ’Voice that breathed o’er Eden”—
         Ain’t she got the cheek! 
White an’ laylock ribbons,
         Think yourself so fine! 
I’d pray Gawd to take yer
         ’Fore I made yer mine! 
Escort to the kerridge,
         Wish ’im luck, the brute! 
Chuck the slippers after —
          (Pity ’tain’t a boot!) 
Bowin’ like a lady,
         Blushin’ like a lad — 
’Oo would say to see ’em
         Both is rotten bad? 
Cheer for the Sergeant’s weddin’—   
         Give ’em one cheer more!   
Grey gun-’orses in the lando,   
         An’ a rogue is married to, etc.

1. In the Case of Rukhmibhaio
2. Quantities of ’em
3. Quaeritur
4. Index Malorum
5. Reading the Will

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