TE GENTLEMEN OF ENGLAND.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 94, 1 July 1882, Page 246

TE GENTLEMEN OF ENGLAND.

A PATRIOTIC PARODY. [In Monday's Star, side by side -with the report of the defeat of the Gentlemen of England by the Australian Crisketers, appeared an item of news to the effect that the projected trip of the Gentlemen to the Colonies had "fallen through."] Ye Gentlemen of England, Who play at Home at ease, You've met our noble cricketers From far-off Southern Seas ; Yet now ye will not come again To fight your Austral foe ; But will stand on the strand Where the " weeping willows " grow — On the principle that roosters best In their own yard can crow ! Yotir Australasian grandsons Invite you o'er the wave, ' And challenge you to take the " field " In spirit warm and brave. When Spofforth's " demon " bowling rules, . Your stumps like straws shall go, As each falls to the balls, Straight and crooked, fast and slow, While the Demon smiles a fiendish smile, And says — " I told you so !" Australia breeds no " blowhards " — No lazy drones who sleep ; Again she's crossed the mountain wave — Again your " willows " weep. With Murdoch and with Bannerman, With Bonnor, Jones, and Co., On the Oval ground, a beating round And sound has tamed your " blow " j By an innings and a run to spare, We've "euchred" Grace and Co ! Oh, Cricketers of England, With shame ye need not burn ; Then why not seek our golden shore, And drub us in " return " ? Then, then, ye trembling warriors, The bright champagne woiild flow To the fame of your name When we all have ceased to " blow " ; When you've beat uswith a right good Grace, And laid our wickets low ! The Black Knight. Auckland, June 27, 1882.