<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Denial</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">If I should die--chatter only this:--</p><p class="line">' A bullet flew by that did not miss!'</p><p class="line">I did not give life up because of a friend ;</p><p class="line">That bullet came thro', and that was the end !</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Don't put up a cross where my dung will be laid,</p><p class="line">But scatter some wheat--and bread will be made ;</p><p class="line">Don't say I'm a hero because I was shot;</p><p class="line">A bullet won't make one what one is not.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Don't scribble my name upon Honour's scroll</p><p class="line">And plaster it up on the Churches hall:</p><p class="line">What honour is there in being forced to die ?</p><p class="line">We slaughter a pig--but we make it a fry !</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And what are the odds 'tween the pig and I ?</p><p class="line">The pig can't help dying--he is forced to die ;</p><p class="line">And so with myself, when a bullet comes thro'</p><p class="line">I simply must die--then why the ado?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Oh! if I should die--chatter only this--</p><p class="line">'A bullet flew by that did not miss';</p><p class="line">I did not give life up because of a friend;</p><p class="line">That bullet came thro'—and <em>voilà</em>, the end!'</p></div></body></html> · Great War