And experts on their song. Like a noisy clock, or a steamer's screw, Their beat debauched the ear, And left it dead to a deafening few That burst who cared how near? We only laughed when the flimsy floor Heaved on the shuddering sod: But when some idiot slammed a door-- My God! THE BIG THING (1918) It was a British Linesman. His face was like a fist, His sleeve all stripes and chevrons from the elbow to the wrist. Said he to an American (with other words of his): "It's a big thing you are doing--do you know how big it is?" "I guess, Sir," that American inevitably drawled, "Big Bill's our proposition an' we're goin' for him bald. You guys may have him rattled, but I figure it's for us To slaughter, quarter, grill or bile, an' masticate the cuss." "I hope your teeth," the Linesman said, "are equal to your tongue-- But that's the sort of carrion that's better when it's hung. Yet--the big thing you're doing I should like to make you see!" "Our stunt," said that young Yankee, "is to set the whole world free!" The Linesman used a venial verb (and other parts of speech): "That's just the way the papers talk and politicians preach! But apart from gastronomical designs upon the Hun-- And the rather taller order--there's a big thing that you've _done_." "Why, say! The biggest thing on earth, to any cute onlooker, Is Old Man Bull and Uncle Sam aboard the same blamed hooker! One crew, one port, one speed ahead, steel-true twin-hearts within her: One ding-dong English-singin' race--a race without a winner!" The boy's a boyish mixture--half high-brow and half droll: So brave and naïve and cock-a-hoop--so sure yet pure of soul! Behold him bright and beaming as the bride- groom after church-- The Linesman looking wistful as a rival in the lurch! "I'd love to be as young as you--" he doesn't even swear-- "Love to be joining up anew and spoiling for my share!