'Is Mauser for amusement an' 'is pony for

retreat,

I've known a lot o' fellers shoot a dam' sight

worse than Piet.

He's shoved 'is rifle 'neath my nose

Before I'd time to think,

An' borrowed all my Sunday clo'es

An' sent me 'ome in pink;

An' I 'ave crept (Lord, 'ow I've crept!)
On 'ands an' knees I've gone,

And spoored and floored and caught and kept
An' sent him to Ceylon!

Ah there, Piet!-you've sold me many a

pup,

When week on week alternate it was you an' me 'ands up!"

But though I never made you walk man

naked in the 'eat,

I'v. known a lot of fellers stalk a dam' sight worse than Piet.

Fr Plewman's to Marabastad,

From Ookiep to De Aar,

Me an' my trusty friend 'ave 'ad,
As you might say, a war;
But seein' what both parties done

I ain't more proud of 'avin' won,
Than I am pleased with Piet.

Ah there, Piet!-picked up be'ind the
drive!

The wonder wasn't 'ow 'e fought, but 'ow

'e kep' alive,

With nothin' in 'is belly, on 'is back, or to

'is feet

I've known a lot o' men behave a dam'
sight worse than Piet.

No more I'll 'ear 'is rifle crack
Along the block'ouse fence-
The beggar's on the peaceful tack,
Regardless of expense.

For countin' what 'e eats an' draws,
An' gifts an' loans as well,

'E's gettin' 'alf the Earth, because

'E didn't give us 'Ell!

Ah there, Piet! with your brand-new

English plough,

Your gratis tents an' cattle, an' your most ungrateful frow.

You've made the British taxpayer rebuild

your country-seat

I've known some pet battalions charge a dam' sight less than Piet.