Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/11



, where be Beldham now, and Brett,
 * Barber, and Hogsflesh, where be they?

Brett, of all bowlers fleetest yet
 * That drove the bails in disarray?

And Small that would, like Orpheus, play
 * Till wild bulls followed his minstrelsy?

Booker, and Quiddington, and May?
 * Beneath the daisies, there they lie!

And where is Lambert, that would get
 * The stumps with balls that broke astray?

And Mann, whose balls would ricochet
 * In almost an unholy way

(So do baseballers 'pitch' to-day);
 * George Lear, that seldom let a bye,

And Richard Nyren, grave and gray?
 * Beneath the daisies, there they lie!

Tom Sueter, too, the ladies' pet,
 * Brown that would bravest hearts affray;

Walker, invincible when set,
 * (Tom, of the spider limbs and splay);

Think ye that we could match them, pray,
 * These heroes of Broad-halfpenny,

With Buck to hit, and Small to stay?
 * Beneath the daisies, there they lie!

Prince, canst thou moralize the lay?
 * How all things change below the sky!

Of Fry and Hirst shall mortals say,
 * 'Beneath the daisies, there they lie!'

-3em