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26
THE BALL
What punishment it suffers,
Even from duffers!
How many millions
Have seen it punch pavilions,
Saluted by the choral
Remonstrances of floral
Young Venuses in fixes
Because of dropping Sixes!
If, bent on Constantining,
The Western Wizard pounces
With all his sinewy ounces
Upon the welcome folly
Of a superfine half-volley,
How furiously it fizzes
On its errand while it whizzes
As a ray for Prince and coster
From the dazzling Star of Gloucester!
Even from duffers!
How many millions
Have seen it punch pavilions,
Saluted by the choral
Remonstrances of floral
Young Venuses in fixes
Because of dropping Sixes!
If, bent on Constantining,
The Western Wizard pounces
With all his sinewy ounces
Upon the welcome folly
Of a superfine half-volley,
How furiously it fizzes
On its errand while it whizzes
As a ray for Prince and coster
From the dazzling Star of Gloucester!
How often in the glory
Of the freckling sun a story,
Fit to live in Wisden's pages
Through a century of Ages,
Telegraphs to sons and Paters,
Earls, policemen, Dukes, and waiters,
Curate, poet, busman, shunter,
(Blending all the grades and driving
Pulses to a jig!) the thriving
Figures gathered by the pliant
Muscle of a Cricket giant
Mingling power and pluck and passion
In the right athletic fashion!
Of the freckling sun a story,
Fit to live in Wisden's pages
Through a century of Ages,
Telegraphs to sons and Paters,
Earls, policemen, Dukes, and waiters,
Curate, poet, busman, shunter,
(Blending all the grades and driving
Pulses to a jig!) the thriving
27
Muscle of a Cricket giant
Mingling power and pluck and passion
In the right athletic fashion!
What punishment it suffers,
Even from duffers!
How many millions
Have seen it jump pavilions!
Discarded hats, expressing
A sort of general blessing,
Salute in noble weather
The bird of crimson leather
That, roosting for a second
On a balustrade, is reckoned
Six for him whose muscle gave it
Flight and force enough to save it
From appearing as a Fourer
In the bible of the Scorer.
Even from duffers!
How many millions
Have seen it jump pavilions!
Discarded hats, expressing
A sort of general blessing,
Salute in noble weather
The bird of crimson leather
That, roosting for a second
On a balustrade, is reckoned
Six for him whose muscle gave it
Flight and force enough to save it
From appearing as a Fourer
In the bible of the Scorer.
It is good to spend a sunny
Afternoon—for little money—
While the fielding is a wonder
Greeted by the public thunder;
Good to watch so brave a spender
Of his pith as Percy Fender
Flogging, in a feverish hurry,
Boundaries for the sake of Surrey;
Good to watch the heroes reaping
Records fit for Wisden's keeping,
Wellnigh holy, in the pages
Vivid with the various stages
Used by England till she rounded
Cricket to a joy, and founded
What, though generations perish,
Other broods shall run to cherish
Just as long as Time assures them
Breath, and merrily endures them!
Afternoon—for little money—
While the fielding is a wonder
Greeted by the public thunder;
Good to watch so brave a spender
Of his pith as Percy Fender
Flogging, in a feverish hurry,
Boundaries for the sake of Surrey;
Good to watch the heroes reaping
28
Wellnigh holy, in the pages
Vivid with the various stages
Used by England till she rounded
Cricket to a joy, and founded
What, though generations perish,
Other broods shall run to cherish
Just as long as Time assures them
Breath, and merrily endures them!
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