THE ANTIDOTE.

Daily Chronicle, March 18, 1903
 

1 (French soldiers at Brest have been ordered to learn football, as a counter attraction to drink.)

My friend, in tap-room cease to sit,
 Quaffing the cups that cheer.
Are you efficient? Not a bit.
 Your foes, who see you, sneer.
Oh, from the cupboard take the ball.
 For shirts explore the locker.
The value of an Army’s small
 That doesn’t practise Soccer.

Go range the field from end to end.
 Go, don your thickest boot.
Your military life, my friend,
 Has taught you how to shoot,
Has taught you how to charge, also,
 Though foes as firm as rock are.
And little else you need to know
 To shine when playing Soccer.

Relinquish, then, the “two of gin,”
 For Lager call no more.
Upon the field—not at the Inn—
 Run up a lengthy score.
Strong wine, remember, is a snare.
 Absinthe’s a dreadful mocker.
To others leave vin ordinaire.
 Do you go in for Soccer.

P. G. W. 

 


 

 1

“The Colonel of the 6th Colonial Regiment at Brest has ordered football to be taught to the “noncoms” and men, and has arranged for singing and dancing lessons to be given.” (Evening Post, March 18, 1903)

John Dawson