YESTERDAY’S NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3117, 14 February 1873, Page 3

YESTERDAY’S NEWS.

A CRICKETER’S LAMENT. (A long way after Pope.) No ‘ ‘ leading cricketers” this year went forth To snatch lost laurels from the Sunny North ; To “ new additions ” was the task consigned, To fight the battle which the dons declined. Shades of departed greatness ! is it so ? That some among our “ beat ’’ declined to go ? Just when Otago, in her hour of heed, Required them most to bravely take the lead. Alas ! Ye patrons of the noble game, And you, ye players of'illustrious name ; If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. Thrice has Otago been constrained to bow To Northern prowess on the tented field ; For three successive years been forced to yield The palm of victory to the Christchurch team. That this portends decay some doubtless deem, And justly something rotten indicate ’Mong cricket circles in out- little state Retail to me, O Muse, the cause of strife, Wherefore is green-eyed jealousy so vifo '( And why does hateful discord so prevail, To mar ouf efforts apd tp make us fail? What moves us tp split up in petty threes, And buzz about, and work like busy bees, To make a passing show and nothing more ? “ Coming events effst their shadows before What might magnate proudly took the huff, And vowed of matches we’d had quantum sufft What croaking clique so sagely stood aside, To scoff and sneer, and our best schemes deride? Avenging Nemesis on them alight, ' : ' And make them pay the penalty fo-night; Let the truant three for their faults atpne, And meet iu solemn conclave all alone,