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Henry Newbolt's 1898 poem—he was compelled to recite it wherever he spoke afterward—must have hit the Victorians like a two-by-four between the eyes. It certainly made an impression on the characters in ''AtD,'' who refer to it at least three times. (Dr. De Bottle quotes on p. 236; Cyprian quotes on p. 813; Dally sees quotations on tombstones on p. 893.) Perhaps not enough to make it a theme of the work, but consider how it shapes (or fails to shape) people's responses:

'''Vitaï Lampada'''<br>

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night —<br>
Ten to make and the match to win —<br>
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,<br>
An hour to play and the last man in.<br>
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,<br>
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,<br>
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote —<br>
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

The sand of the desert is sodden red, —<br>
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; —<br>
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,<br>
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.<br>
The river of death has brimmed his banks,<br>
And England's far, and Honour a name,<br>
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:<br>
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

This is the word that year by year,<br>
While in her place the School is set,<br>
Every one of her sons must hear,<br>
And none that hears it dare forget.<br>
This they all with a joyful mind<br>
Bear through life like a torch in flame,<br>
And falling fling to the host behind —<br>
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

::Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938)

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