THE SKUNK BRIGADE.

Evening Star, Issue 14626, 24 July 1911, Page 2

THE SKUNK BRIGADE.

[Suggested by the recant prosecutions of malingering Territorials.]

I am a member of the Skunk Brigade; I will not train for fighting, because I am

afraid; I'll not train to be a soldier, because, as you

can see, If I dared to shoot at anyone, he might . shoot at me.

They say it is your duty to protect yonr home and wife, But my idea of duty is to save my precious life. Let others do the fighting, that's good enough for me; When my country is in danger away at once I I flee. Those who go out training, good exercise they get. While I loaf about the streets and smoke my cigarette. They parade and drill at evening in response to duty's call, While I enjoy tho pleasures of the nearest music hall. How the ladies must admire me, for they must, think me right To look to others for protection, and watch them while they fight. Lota of girls, they tell me, would go in for training if they could; But I'm not so brave as they are, and I won't, although I should. If I a.m brought to court for shirking I'll set up a dismal -whine. But perhaps a brutal Magistrate will impose a heavy fine; And when I say he shouldn't, as I don't like to fight, My country, so they tell me, will say "it serves you right." The MEN who do their duty may earn what praise they can, But you really must excuse me, for I'm only half a man; The bare idea of fighting puts me in such a funk That. I'll remain a shirker, and an everlasting SKUNK.