He dropped, more sullenly1 than wearily, Lay stupid like a cod2, 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, Or see the blasted trench3 at which he stared. I'll do 'em in, he whined4, 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, Dreaming of all the valiant5, 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.
We sent him down at last, out of the way. Unwounded; stout6 lad, too, before that strafe. Malingering? Stretcher-bearers winked7, Not half! Next day I heard the Doc.'s well-whiskied laugh: That scum you sent last night soon died. Hooray!