Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/427

 But "of all daft devils under the sun,

A greyhound's the daftest" says Jorrocks J.

(Racing) The horse is ridden—the jockey rides—

The backers back—the owners own

But … there are lots of things beside,

And I should let this game alone.

(Rowing) The Pope of Rome he could not win

From pleasant meats and pleasant sin

These who, replying not, submit

Unto the curses of the pit

Which that stern coach (oh, greater shame)

Flings forth by number not by name.

Can Triple Crown or Jesuit's oath

Do what one wrathful trainer doth?

(Fishing) Behold a parable. A fished for B

C took her bait; her heart being set on D.

Thank heaven who cooled your blood and cramped your wishes,

Men and not Gods torment you, little fishes!

(Cricket) Thank God who made the British Isles

And taught me how to play,

I do not worship crocodiles,

Or bow the knee to clay!

Give me a willow wand and I

With hide and cork and twine

From century to century

Will gambol round my shrine!

(Archery) The child of the Nineties considers with laughter

The maid whom his sire in the Sixties ran after,

While careering himself in pursuit of a girl whom

The Twenties will dub a "last century heirloom."