The Story of Uriah

 Jack Barrett went to Quetta
 Because they told him to.

He left his wife at Simla
 On three-fourths his monthly screw.

Jack Barrett died at Quetta
 Ere the next month's pay he drew.


Jack Barrett went to Quetta.

 He didn't understand
The reason of his transfer
 From the pleasant mountain-land.

The season was September,
 And it killed him out of hand.


Jack Barrett went to Quetta
 And there gave up the ghost,
Attempting two men's duty
 In that very healthy post;
And Mrs.
 Barrett mourned for him
 Five lively months at most.


Jack Barrett's bones at Quetta
 Enjoy profound repose;
But I shouldn't be astonished
 If now his spirit knows
The reason of his transfer
 From the Himalayan snows.


And, when the Last Great Bugle Call
 Adown the Hurnai throbs,
And the last grim joke is entered
 In the big black Book of Jobs.

And Quetta graveyards give again
 Their victims to the air,
I shouldn't like to be the man
 Who sent Jack Barrett there.

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