The Deserted Cricket Field.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3762, 18 January 1881, Page 3

The Deserted Cricket Field.

The following has been forwarded to us by an embryo poeti From the post-mark it appears to bare emanated from the Whaui— Not a sound was heard, not a cricketer's rhout, Ab forth to the field we proceeded j No more was kicked up the devil's own rout — The requisites all lay unheeded. ' Then spake an ancient cricket bah, Who'd braved the willow's strokes: Said he, "Oh ! what's become of e!l Those jovial cricketing blokes ? •' Time was when we were worked to death, And driven from square-leg to long-off, But now,* elas! we idlj draw breath, - Attd are sorely tried with the cough, " For oar owners they leave us uuheeded, And let us catoh cold in wet grass ; 'Tis no use, howe'er much we pleaded, Our master he is such an a«s." And then the ring did sore lament, And wailed with anguish sad, And swore adjudgment had been sent— 'Twas enough to drive em' mud. Then up and spake a stalwart stump ' And loud did curse his fate, Said he, " By Jove my swag I'll hump And clear before 'tis late. For how can I, who've lived a. score ' Of innings through and through, Remain content to work n,o more ; I'll off for pastures iiewi" . And as he spake he left the ring, Who chanted the " Dead March in Saul;" And the tears they fell as they solemnly sing Both the bail, the bat and the ball. ." Come Lawless, Buttle, and Prater, ' Burgess, Steadman, and Law, Come, for the season if* late-, The.time for cricket is o'er." With this chorus the dejected ones finished, And lifted their heads up and wept, Let us hope their prayers wilJ be answered That the cricketers have not all slept, For if all their energy's gone^^cjjw, , >' Whate'er will beauggrfH>ftlpjibw,", ..>p~ " ■;: And the folks will cry "out ■ei'trj'japa? " "■■' ; f No cricket, Bj Jove, what # •name."