And war becomes a fireside story,

"Thank Heaven," we'll cry, "thou didst not die,

But lived to reap the fruits of glory;

"Assimilating in repose

Thy fragrant fare of tops and peelings,

Or making all the garden close

Echo with-pregustative squealings,

Or basking, when the sun is high,

Within thy chamber's cool recesses

While some fair child with practised eye