What were his Orders? where was he to go?
The Commandant observing John was heated,
Mildly requested that ‘he would be seated.’
John’s spirits had been sinking in the wane,
But thus encouraged soon revived again.
‘Why really, Sir, this service in the Line,
‘At home we reckon to be monstrous fine;
‘But since I was Gazetted, I’ll declare
‘A single moment I’ve not had to spare.’
The Captain smil’d to see poor John so sore,