THE LITTLE CHILD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11511, 6 October 1915, Page 4

THE LITTLE CHILD.

The Australian soldier, in the opinion of those who know, is as easy to lead as a little child, but worse to drive than an Irish pig.—Correspondent of the '-'Egyptian Mail." You wash his face and you brush his hair, You dress him up in his boots and all. And wiping his dear little nose with care, You take him round in a friendly call. He's blessed innocent, meek and mild; Obstinate? Yes, but not a prig; As easy to lead as a little child, But worse to drive than an Irish pig. Tho ladies of Cairo found him nice, Sweet little ,chap, in his hours of play; They gave him whisky and bad advice, And he took it all in the kindest way. The advice was bad and the whisky worse; The kind they probably serve in—well, I've got to stifle this second_ verse, For it leads to things which I must not tell. If you take the soldier and treat him fair, Iron his pinny and clean his nails, He's a chirruping cherub everywhere, Whether in Cairo or New South Wales. He will never tread a rebellious track If you point the way that he ought to go; He will storm a trench and he won't turn back; If you lead him. yes; if you drive him, no. Dear little soul in his trench far hence, With six weeks' growth on his lip and chin, He's a pure example of innocence, A typical angel* free from sin. His language tints the iEgean Sea With the lurid light of the sunset glow; You must not mind if it's loud and free; That's only his quaint little way, you know. Oh, Auntie's darling and Grandma's pet! The world has hoard of you now and then, And there's more of your life to be written yet While bravery dazzles the eyes of men. Whatever von did on a midnight wild It's over" and done; who cares n jig;' Y(.': avo casv to lead as a little child. But worse to drive <h;;n an Irish pig. —•''Sydney Sun."