If ever there was a Golden Game <br />To brace the nerves, to cure repining, <br />To put the Dumps to flight and shame, <br />It's Cricket when the sun is shining! <br />Gentlemen, toss the foolscap by, <br />Gentlemen, change from books to leather! <br />Breathe your fill of the breeze from the hill, <br />Thanking Bliss for the great blue weather. <br /> <br />If ever there was a bag could beat <br />The box possessed by Miss Pandora, <br />'Tis that in which there cuddle neat <br />The tools to shape the flying Fourer. <br />Gentlemen, watch the purple ball! <br />Gentlemen, keep your wits in tether! <br />Take your joy with the heart of a boy <br />Under the dome of the big blue weather. <br /> <br />If ever I feel my veins abound <br />With zealous blood more fit for Twenty, <br />'Tis when upon the shaven ground <br />Fair Fortune gives me runs in plenty. <br />Gentlemen all, while sinews last, <br />Bat ye, bowl ye, friends together! <br />Play the play till the end of your day, <br />Mellowest mates in the big blue weather! <br /> <br />But ever the ancient tale is told, <br />And History (the jade!) repeated: <br />By Time, who's never over-bowled, <br />At last we find ourselves defeated. <br />Gentlemen all, though stiff we be, <br />Youth comes along in finest feather, <br />Just as keen as we all have been <br />Out on the turf in the great blue weather! <br /> <br />There's ever the deathless solace left- <br />To gaze at younger heroes smiting, <br />Of neither grit nor hope bereft, <br />Up to the end for victory fighting. <br />Gentlemen all, we taste delight, <br />Banished now from the stream and heather, <br />Calm and cool on an old camp-stool, <br />Watching the game in the big blue weather!<br /><br />Norman Rowland Gale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-golden-game/
