Yes, when it is your proper fare,

Your iron ration won't be there;

Then in your hour of bitter need

You will be sorry for your greed."

He ceased. But Private Thomas Whidden,

Being thus seriously chidden,

Said simply (with a Devon burr),

"Law bless us! do 'ee zay zo, Zur?"

Then with an uncontrolléd passion

He went and ate his iron ration.