"And there I fought an evil thought And won--and turned to go; Then as I went into my tent A bullet struck me low." The others heard and spoke no word (For dead men understand), But 'round they turned and their deep eyes burned As they gripped his leaden hand. TO THE LITTLE BLACK DOG We see you in the morning When Reveille implores; We meet you in the evening At end of daily chores. On march, fatigue, or drilling Our friend we find you still, With kindly, pleasant bearing And independent will. You're small, you're thin, you're homely, You're battered, scratched, and lame; But in our tasks before us Pray God we be as game! [Illustration] WHEN EAST IS WEST See that man in khaki clothes, Squirming in the dust; Toying with a sketching board, Uniform all mussed. Squinting 'long a little stick, Grunting fit to bust-- Turning out a road sketch For his Captain. First he drills a "starting point." Then he takes a "shot;" Someone's scare-crow gets a line, Closes Jones's lot. Paces stiffly down the road, Worried--tense--and hot-- Turning out a road sketch For his Captain. Now an "intersection point;" Watch the compass turn. Think to see him finger it Bloomin' thing would burn. Missed an inch by motor truck; Eyes it proud and stern-- Turning out a road sketch For his Captain. Plants an orchard in the road; Leaves a forest bare. Runs a railroad through a house; Fakes a village square. Twenty contours in a swamp, Thirteen in the air-- Calls the thing a road sketch For his Captain. TO MY SWEETHEART I love you when the bugle Calls, "Awake, the day's begun!" I love you as we work and Sweat and drill beneath the sun. I love you at retreat, and When the sun sinks out of view; Sweetheart of mine! quite all the time, I--love--you. PLAY THE GAME When everything goes wrong And it's hard to force a song, The proper stunt we claim, Is to grin, and play the game. If things break worse than fair, Say the Frenchmen, "_C'est la Guerre_." Which to them is just the same, As to grin, and play the game. If you find the mess is punk-- Kidney beans and other junk-- Try to eat it just the same; Stretch a grin, and play the game.