 | Messrs Bat and Ball |  |
23
REMEMBERED
This is a Rhyme
Of Once-upon-a-Time.
Of Once-upon-a-Time.
My father would have humbled me
Across his too-familiar knee
If I had given my vote for Tea,
That fluid bane of Cricket.
Across his too-familiar knee
If I had given my vote for Tea,
That fluid bane of Cricket.
A creamed and sugared afternoon,
With woman's saucer, cup, and spoon,
Meant tragedy; and meant it soon
For England's perfect pastime!
With woman's saucer, cup, and spoon,
Meant tragedy; and meant it soon
For England's perfect pastime!
No golden lads, quoth he, would shrink
From leather-worship thus, and slink
Pavilion-ward, like cats, to drink
The parlour's feeble potion;
From leather-worship thus, and slink
Pavilion-ward, like cats, to drink
The parlour's feeble potion;
Nor yet, if warm with proper flame,
Would dare to add, becoming tame,
A single cushion to the game
Inherited from Glory.
Would dare to add, becoming tame,
A single cushion to the game
Inherited from Glory.
I bid you keep it bright and stern,
That, when your veins no longer burn
With blood sufficient, you may turn
In honour from the creases,
That, when your veins no longer burn
With blood sufficient, you may turn
In honour from the creases,
24
And, represented by a son
On fire to do as you have done,
May love the Game till Death has won
At last your broken wicket.
On fire to do as you have done,
May love the Game till Death has won
At last your broken wicket.
This is a Rhyme
Of Once-upon-a-Time.
Of Once-upon-a-Time.
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