The Story of Uriah
“Now there were two men in one city;the one rich and the other poor.”
Jack Barrett went to QuettaBecause they told him to.He left his wife at SimlaOn three-fourths his monthly screw:Jack Barrett died at QuettaEre the next month's pay he drew.
Jack Barrett went to Quetta.He didn't understandThe reason of his transferFrom the pleasant mountain-land:The season was September,And it killed him out of hand.
Jack Barrett went to Quetta,And there gave up the ghost,Attempting two men's dutyIn that very healthy post;And Mrs. Barrett mourned for himFive lively months at most.
Jack Barrett's bones at QuettaEnjoy profound repose;But I shouldn't be astonishedIf now his spirit knowsThe reason of his transferFrom the Himalayan snows.
And, when the Last Great Bugle CallAdown the Hurnal throbs,When the last grim joke is enteredIn the big black Book of Jobs,And Quetta graveyards give againTheir victims to the air,I shouldn't like to be the manWho sent Jack Barrett there.
Sign in to like, rate and collect poems, and keep track of what you've read.