"BUT JACK AND THE OLD UMBRELLA STOOD FIRM, AND KNEW NO FEAR."
Jack and Willie, and little maid May
Went down to the summer sea;
And it's merry and gay for a long holiday,
But what is their game to be?
They were tired of building castles
When serious Johnny said—
"Now what do you say, supposing we play
The Charge of the Light Brigade?
"This old umbrella that's been our tent
Will serve for a cannon—of course;
You two must play the Light Brigade,
And I'll be the Russian Force."
Willie and May ran up the beach,
Then charged straight down on Jack;
But Jack dropped cleverly on one knee,
And drove the onset back.
Again and again the charge came on
With a rush and a ringing cheer,
But Jack and the old umbrella
Stood firm, and knew no fear.
"Charge for the guns!" cried Willie once more,
There's a crack, and a moment after
The Russians (that's Jack) are rolled in the sand,
Amid shouts of conquering laughter.
Said Jack as he rose, "This isn't quite
According to the story;
We'll have this play again some day
We've done enough for glory."
Robert Richardson.