The Last Laugh

'Oh!

Jesus Christ!

I'm hit,' he said; and died.

Whether he vainly cursed or prayed indeed,

The Bullets chirped-In vain, vain, vain!

Machine-guns chuckled,-Tut-tut!

Tut-tut!

And the Big Gun guffawed.

Another sighed,-'O Mother, -Mother, - Dad!'Then smiled at nothing, childlike, being dead.

And the lofty

Leisurely gestured,-Fool!

And the splinters spat, and tittered.'My Love!' one moaned.

Love-languid seemed his mood,

Till slowly lowered, his whole faced kissed the mud.

And the Bayonets' long teeth grinned;

Rabbles of Shells hooted and groaned;

And the Gas hissed.