With posters done in blue and red 
      My shop is plastered o'er;
   Cute schemes for gain are in my head
      As here, beside my door,
I talk with likely customers about "this awful war."


   "Our Patriotic Sale's Begun,"
      "Amazing Sacrifice" -
   So do my flaunting posters run -
      "Goods at Three-quarter Price."
"Buy One of Our 'King Albert' Hats, New Style and Very Nice."


   "This awful war" - I roll my eyes 
      "It ruins honest trade!
   All German goods, sir, I despise!
      Now these smart coats were made
In England; warranted to wear, and will not shrink or fade.


   "Down with the Kaiser!  Sir, it wrings 
      My upright, British soul
   To think of all the fearful things 
      He's done to win his goal....
Wool comforters for soldiers, ma'am?  Yes.  Forward, Mister Mole!"


   "Indeed, indeed it's very hard
      But we must not repine. . . .
   That flannel?  Two-and-three a yard.
      Yes, ma'am, a special line;
Cut for our Patriotic Sale"....and dear at one-and-nine!


   "Ah, these poor Belgians!  Sir, it shocks 
      All human decency! ....
   (I sold five gross of 'Belgian' socks
      Last week at one-and-three!) ....
Poor, starving folk!  It hurts me, sir, such misery to see! "


   "Come to our Patriotic Sale!"
      "Great War Reductions Made!"
   Such cunning phrases never fall
      To capture goodly trade.
"Inspect our dress-goods!  Like our troops they will not run nor fade."


   "Yes, ma'am, that little ornament
      Was made in Germany.
   The price is up fifteen per cent.,
      Because, of course, you see,
'Twas bought before the war, and now that line we can't indent."


   "Ahem!....Yes, as you say, sir, true-
      A race of thieves and spies.
   And, let me say, between us two,
      All Germans I despise!....
Ah, that reminds me, have you seen this line of 'Joffro' ties?"


   "Enlist, Young Man, if You are Fit!"
      So reads my window sign.
   (And, while you're thinking over it,
      Come and inspect our line
Of special scarves for brave recruits.  Dirt-cheap at three-and-nine.)


   With posters done in red and blue
      My shop-front flames and flares;
   While busily I plan anew
      My patriotic snares
For trusting customers who come to buy my shoddy wares.


   'Tis an ill wind....Between ourselves,
      These Germans do some good.
   They've helped to clear from off my shelves
      Old stock I never should
Have sold unless....Ah, well, a man must earn his livelihood.


   "Come to Our Patriotic Sale!"
      "Cheap Goods While Times are Slack."
   With secret joy my ad. I mail
      Beside the Union Jack,
And blithely make a hoarding of a stricken People's back.

"Toolangi"
The Bulletin, 22 April 1915, p26