 | Messrs Bat and Ball |  |
39
PAX BRITANNICA
“Round the world,” quoth Captain Cricket,
“Isn't very far to travel!
What are four-and-twenty thousand
Miles of water, rock, and gravel?
Having seen my art and patience
In respect of various Corkers,
Trust me, Lad, when Father Ocean
Slings me down his thundering Yorkers!
“Isn't very far to travel!
What are four-and-twenty thousand
Miles of water, rock, and gravel?
Having seen my art and patience
In respect of various Corkers,
Trust me, Lad, when Father Ocean
Slings me down his thundering Yorkers!
“Be there eight-and-forty thousand
Miles of furious foam for crossing,
Sinewy Bats and brainy Bowlers
Can't be countered by a tossing.
Just so long as foreign Peoples
Call for willow-wood and leather,
Englishmen shall laugh at Neptune
While he brews infernal weather.
Miles of furious foam for crossing,
Sinewy Bats and brainy Bowlers
Can't be countered by a tossing.
Just so long as foreign Peoples
Call for willow-wood and leather,
Englishmen shall laugh at Neptune
While he brews infernal weather.
“Would you have, in distant regions,
Furioso change to largo,
Add the implements of Cricket
Promptly to a steamer's cargo!
Let us ship evangelizing
Umpire, Bowler, Batsman, Scorer
Far from home, to prove the friendship
Active in the flying Fourer!
Furioso change to largo,
Add the implements of Cricket
Promptly to a steamer's cargo!
Let us ship evangelizing
Umpire, Bowler, Batsman, Scorer
Far from home, to prove the friendship
Active in the flying Fourer!
40
“This will be a perfect planet
Only when the Game shall enter
Every country, teaching millions
How to ask for Leg or Centre.
Closely heed a level-headed
Sportsman far too grave to banter:
When the cricket-bags are opened,
Doves of Peace fly forth instanter!”
Only when the Game shall enter
Every country, teaching millions
How to ask for Leg or Centre.
Closely heed a level-headed
Sportsman far too grave to banter:
When the cricket-bags are opened,
Doves of Peace fly forth instanter!”
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