Who gives him the Bath?
  "I," said the wet,
Rank Jungle-sweat,
  "I'll give him the Bath!"

Кто подаст орден Бани?
Мокрый, вылез вперед
Рядовой Джунглей-Пот:
– Я пропарю, как в бане!

Who'll sing the psalms?
  "We," said the Palms.
"Ere the hot wind becalms,
  We'll sing the psalms."

Пропоет кто псалом?
– Пальм Высоких отряд!
Ветры злые свистят,
Но поем мы псалом.

Who lays on the sword?
  "I," said the Sun,
"Before he has done,
  I'll lay on the sword."

Кто возьмется за меч?
Солнце: – Я, горячо,
Новичку на плечо
Возложу острый меч.

Who fastens his belt?
  "I," said Short-Rations,
"I know all the fashions
  Of tightening a belt!"

Кто затянет ремень?
– Я, Дрянной Рацион,
Научу за сезон,
Как жевать свой ремень.

Who buckles his spur?
  "I," said his Chief,
Exacting and brief,
  "I'll give him the spur."

Шпоры где для него?
– Я принес – молвил Шеф,
Строго всех оглядев:
– Я пришпорю его.

Who'll shake his hand?
  "I," said the Fever,
"And I'm no deceiver,
  I'll shake his hand."

Кто пожмет ему длань?
Говорит Лихорадка:
– Не люблю играть в прятки –
Сотрясу его длань.

Who brings him the wine?
  "I," said Quinine,
"It's a habit of mine,
  I'll come with his wine."

Напоит кто вином?
Отвечает Хинин:
– Я люблю не один
Приходить, но с вином.

Who'll put him to proof?
  "I," said All Earth,
"Whatever he's worth,
  I'll put to the proof."

Кто назначит Искус?
Я! – сказала Земля.
Кто достоин руля,
Тот пройдет мой Искус.

Who'll choose him for Knight?
  "I," said his Mother,
"Before any other,
  My very own knight!"

Скажет кто: «Посвящен?!»
Говорит Мать седая:
– Меж всех выделяя,
Я скажу: «Посвящен!»

And after this fashion, adventure to seek,
Was Sir Galahad made – as it might be last week!

Галахад славный призван на поиск Добра
По такому обряду... иль то было вчера?