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1914–18
THEY bear, in place of classic names, | |
| Letters and numbers on their skin. | |
| They play their grisly blindfold games | |
| In little boxes made of tin. | |
| Sometimes they stalk the Zeppelin, | 5 |
| Sometimes they learn where mines are laid | |
| Or where the Baltic ice is thin. | |
| That is the custom of “The Trade.” | |
| |
| Few prize-courts sit upon their claims. | |
| They seldom tow their targets in. | 10 |
| They follow certain secret aims | |
| Down under, far from strife or din. | |
| When they are ready to begin | |
| No flag is flown, no fuss is made | |
| More than the shearing of a pin. | 15 |
| That is the custom of “The Trade.” | |
| |
| The Scout’s quadruple funnel flames | |
| A mark from Sweden to the Swin, | |
| The Cruiser’s thundrous screw proclaims | |
| Her comings out and goings in: | 20 |
| But only whiffs of paraffin | |
| Or creamy rings that fizz and fade | |
| Show where the one-eyed Death has been. | |
| That is the custom of “The Trade.” | |
| |
| Their feats, their fortunes and their fames | 25 |
| Are hidden from their nearest kin; | |
| No eager public backs or blames, | |
| No journal prints the yarns they spin | |
| (The Censor would not let it in!) | |
| When they return from run or raid. | 30 |
| Unheard they work, unseen they win. | |
| That is the custom of “The Trade.” | |
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