Volume 150 — FOR THEY ARE JOLLY POOR FELLOWS.
Reading edition
[The fine example of patriotism shown by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge throws into painful relief the action of some of the obscure remnant, including College Fellows, who have excused themselves from service or adopted an attitude of superior detachment in relation to the War.]
You Intellectuals of Cam and Isis, Pale phantoms in the dawn of Freedom's light, And you that in this hour of England's crisis Haven't the conscience (or the heart) to fight; You cosmopolitans without a country, Who go aloof on philosophic quests, Sucking the fruit of knowledge from the Hun-tree And spiritual milk from alien breasts; False to that Brotherhood, who for the splendour Of a great cause, with gallant hearts and gay, Of youth and youth's high promise made surrender, Because their courage knew the nobler way; I envy not your chance on their returning; When, scarred with war, they come from overseas, There should be trouble in those Seats of Learning Where you sat tight and took your pedants' ease. Short shrift you'll get for your convenient scruples; Conducted thither where the wet stream winds You shall receive as elementary pupils An object-lesson good for little minds. Somewhere about the Guts of Cam and Isis, May I be well in front to see you then Taught by immersion what the local price is To pay for being prigs instead of men.
O. S.