THE NOBLE GAME OF CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2273, 23 September 1897, Page 41

THE NOBLE GAME OF CRICKET.

Oh, I love to hear the barrack when the game is keenly fought, "For it takes me back to many a happy day. When the men were not so clever as our men in science taught, But were quite as keen aud eager in the fray. Yes, the g*me has gro vrn in science, and the play is better far. And the wrinkles that are learnt have puzzled me ; And I sometimes feel I'm waning, like a disappearing star. For I'm not the dashing bat I used to be. Did you say that I was ageing ?— you can. see the streaki of giey. And you deem it time that I should give it best? You are making quite a blunder, as the vulgar folks would say, For you'll find I still can keep up with the rest. Tho' the runs I make are lucky, and ray fielding isn't sure, Still my bowling's good enough to beat the boys ; And to play a man with patience and with " curleys" to allure 13 to me the best of all its thrilling joys. As you walk out to the wicket where a better man has stood, You will feel a little tremoy of the heart. Set your teeth aud stand up firmly, tho' the bowliDg may be good— Never let them say you're beat before you start — For the man who keeps Ins courage when the crucial point is met Is the man \vho always has the upper hand ; Tho' the bowling's very steady and the runs are hard to get, You will find that he is likely there to stand. If 1 had my choice unfettered of a dozen games or more I should choose at once the willow, stump, and ba'.l ; Let the others rave of football or of cycling and the oar, I shall always hold that cricket beats them all. Tho' it charms me with the science and the skill therein displ iyed, More I love it for the faces that I see, For they take me back in memory to the happy games I've played With the comrades who are scattered far from me. So just hand that willow over, let me grip it once again — Ah ! tbe feeliug that it gives is something nice — Like a seraph softly calling in a tender, happy strain, To the summer fields of pleasure would entice. , Yep, I love it for the science and the skill therein displayed. And i love it aa all other games above : But its charm is always sweetest — slb I've often heard it said — When it brings around the faces that we love. Dunedin, September 20. — It. M.

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