An' then up comes 'is Company an' kicks 'im round the floor!

The young recruit is 'ammered—'e takes it very 'ard;
'E 'angs 'is 'ead an' mutters—'e sulks about the yard;
'E talks o' 'cruel tyrants' 'e'll swing for by-an'-by,
An' the others 'ears an' mocks 'im, an' the boy goes orf to cry.

The young recruit is silly—'e thinks o' suicide;
'E's lost 'is gutter-devil; 'e 'asn't got 'is pride;
But day by day they kicks 'im, which 'elps 'im on a bit,
Till e' finds 'isself one mornin' with a full an' proper kit.

⁠Gettin' clear o' dirtiness, gettin' done with mess,
⁠Gettin' shut o' doin' things rather-more-or-less;
⁠Not so fond of abby-nay, kul, nor hazar-ho,
⁠Learns to keep 'is rifle an' 'isself jus' so!