Page:The man from Snowy River and other verses.pdf/36

 It's 'win, tie, or wrangle'—to best 'em,
 * You must lose 'em, or else it's 'dead heat.'

We strolled down the township and found 'em
 * At drinking and gaming and play;

If sorrows they had, why they drowned 'em,
 * And betting was soon under way.

Their horses were good 'uns and fit 'uns,
 * There was plenty of cash in the town;

They backed their own horses like Britons,
 * And Lord! how we rattled it down!

With gladness we thought of the morrow,
 * We counted our wagers with glee,

A simile homely to borrow—
 * 'There was plenty of milk in our tea.'

You see we were green; and we never
 * Had even a thought of foul play,

Though we well might have known that the clever
 * Division would 'put us away.'

Experience 'docet,' they tell us,
 * At least, so I've frequently heard,

But, 'dosing' or 'stuffing,' those fellows
 * Were up to each move on the board;