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Mirth and Metre

consisting of Poems, Serious, Humorous, and Satirical; Songs, Sonnets, Ballads & Bagatelles. Written by C. Dibdin, Jun
 
 

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171

RECRUITING SERJEANT.

All day I've been tramping, with fife and with drum,
And looking to see if recruits would but come;
But in vain, for to list not a creature appears,
From the peer to the peasant, all turn volunteers.
Row, dow, dow.
I offer them money, but offer in vain,
They cry, “We're all soldiers for glory, not gain!”
A crown and a guinea I offer them down,
They the guinea refuse, but stand up for the crown.
Row, dow, dow.
To take money for 'listing, so little will suit,
They not only serve free, but give money to boot;
So the French may beware, and not here seek renown,
For if they don't knock under, why we'll knock 'em down.
Row, dow, dow.