THE NEW WAY

When to a joust or a crusade

The mediaeval warrior

With his fantastic cavalcade

Went medievally to war

He left a shield or a sword behind

For his deserted chatelaine to mind

The gentle lady turned her hand

To polish and on duty bent

She scoured the arms with Monkey Brand

Or its remote equivalent

But strange! Although her lord was gone

She never seemed to think to put them on!

Our men to-day who sweep the seas

No longer bear the stamp of Gieve

But wrap themselves in wool or frieze -

No Continental could conceive

Officials more ridiculous

They left the anchor and the crown to us

And we whom war has rendered wise

Took with the uniforms of men

The duties which they symbolise

And gave our strength to them; that when

We give them back as soon we must

The men shall see we have not let them rust