While The Billy BoilsSearchThe fight was over, and the battle won.A soldier, who beneath his chieftain's eyeHad done a mighty deed and done it well,And done it as the world will have it done—A stab, a curse, some quick play of the butt,Two skulls cracked crosswise, but the colours saved—Proud of his wounds, proud of the promised cross,Turned to his rear-rank man, who on his gunLeant heavily apart. 'Ho, friend!' he called,'You did not fight then: were you left behind?I saw you not.' The other turned and showedA gaping, red-lipped wound upon his breast.'Ah,' said he sadly, 'I was in the smoke!'Threw up his arms, shivered, and fell and died.
Poem
An Allegory
by Barcroft Boake · 1897
Sources, publication & text notesReference details
Canonical recordPOEM-001137
Copy-textWhere the Dead Men Lie and Other Poems (1897); independent IAC volume transcription; selected copy-text retained exactly under D-180/D-208
Source recordSRC-000006
Rights determinationRGT-000118
Text statusCANONICAL TEXT READY
TranscriptionDIPLOMATIC_D208_D180
While The Billy Boils · Public-domain text · www.whilethebillyboils.com.au/poems/an-allegory