Poem by Norman Rowland Gale

The Church Cricketant

    I bowled three sanctified souls
      With three consecutive balls!
    What do I care if Blondin trod
      Over Niagara Falls?
    What do I care for the loon in the Pit
      Or the gilded earl in the Stalls?
    I bowled three curates once
      With three consecutive balls!

    I caused three Protestant 'ducks'
      With three consecutive balls!
    Poets may rave of lily girls
      Dancing in marble halls!
    What do I care for a bevy of yachts,
      Or a dozen or so of yawls?
    I bowled three curates once
      With three consecutive balls!

    I bowled three cricketing priests
      With three consecutive balls!
    What if a critic pounds a book,
      What if an author squalls?
    What do I care if sciatica comes,
      Elephantiasis calls?
    I bowled three curates once
      With three consecutive balls!

1. The Golden Game
2. Up at Lords
3. Cricket in the Garden
4. Two Critics
5. The Hope of Surrey

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