Page:Base-ball ballads (IA baseballballads00rice).pdf/59

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THE RAVEN UP-TO-DATE.

So I oped it, shrinking craven, wishing for some happy haven,
When behold! there flapped a Raven, stalking in across the floor—
Stalking Edgar Allen Poeish, right across my rugless floor.
    Ach, du Leiber! I was sore.

"Raven!" cried I, "why the devil have you come here? On the level,
I thought Mr. Poe had written you would enter nevermore.
What has brought you, you intriguer, with that look so keen and eager?
Speak up there, you old bush leaguer; why have you returned, you bore?
State your trouble and then skip, sir: leave me quickly, I implore!"
    Quoth the Raven: "What's the score?"

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