Too long mere food for powder
We've deemed our rank and file,
Now higher hopes and prouder
Upon the soldier smile.
And if no Marshal's bâton
Private Smith in his knapsack bears,
At least in the War, the chance of the star
With his General he shares.
The first distribution of the "V.C." by the Queen was not made until June 26, 1857, and in the same vein, but with greater dignity Punch strove to render justice to the occasion:—
THE STAR OF VALOUR
Distributed by the Queen's Own Hand. June 26, 1857.