"Twas at a great state function—i In faultless tunics dressed, The heroes back from China round The gorgeous Viceroy pressed, And little ~mith of the Blankty-blank th Was ruffling with the best. j But one short year before, no sign Had graced his manly Jreast To show he'd served in war, so I Was naturally impresse: t H To see two fine and healthy rows OF medals on his chest.
I took him off to have a drink, And then with friendly chaff Tasked him how the D.S.0.
He'd won, With ary laugh answered "Don't you know, dear boy, Leerved upon the staff!" 7
"Of course, how stupid! I forgot Said I, but still increased My wonder as my gaze fell on Some strange and writhing beast, "D'you mind explaining what that is?"
He answered " Not the least "For helping Potts of the U.S.I.
Upon his homeward road, One gorgeous night when whisky punch Right royally had flowed This yellow dragon order was Most graciously bestowed."
"Then what's this gold chrysanthemum Bedecked with ribbon pink "Lnever knew how that was ened,"
Snid he, ' But somehow think "Twos from dear old Tapickyo For standing him s drink.
"This macaroni love-knot and The diamond star below I gained on the Summer Palace Luke By going for a row With my oid pal El Capitan Bilati Piano, "Phot nickel-silver trombone with Electro-plated chai Are gifts from Graf von Bandersnatch Those silver exgles twain Mean one wild night with Whiskykoit, And Comte de kerosene."
"Bar better this," said I Or thoughts of sordid pelf.
How nice to have tiiest memoirs when You're laid upon the shelf That second row Oh those, said he,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.