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

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918
409

But "of all daft devils under the sun,
A greyhound's the daftest" says Jorrocks J.

March (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.

April (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?

May (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!

June (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!

July (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."