That he which hath no stomach to this drink,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And Dirhams for convoy put into his purse:
... We would not drink Heineken in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the Sevens of Dubai:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Sevens.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Sevens day in Dubai:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Sevens day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Price the king, Gilby and Costello,
Phillips and Henderson, Stynsy and Makins,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Dubai Sevens shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That drank with us upon Dubai Sevens day.
Exit stage left to the bar !
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