Yet if with leave unasked I quit the barrack,

Ever behind I dread that he will call,

Speed up the street in some avenging Darracq

Or on the Underground retrieve his thrall;

Nor in my home can quite escape the spell

But freeze with horror at the front-door bell,

For fear the parlour-maid may speak my knell,

May knock and say that he is in the hall.

And, sleeping, still I have to brook his blusters;

A monstrous Adjutant is always nigh