SPARKLING

I'm not a good Cover I freely admit,

And I'm not very handy at Point;

I'm growing inert and no longer exert

The nimble gymnastical joint:

I cannot rejoice when a hurricane cut

Contuses my shin with its crunch;

When fielding to hitters my heart patters-pitters,

But trust me to sparkle at lunch!—

I radiate freely at lunch.

When Blair puts me Longstop without any pads,

And delivers occasional Wides,

My thumb is askew, and my bosom is blue,

And bruises be-smother my sides!

I cannot rejoice when a bail comes express

Saluting my pate with a punch;

Obesity quivers, there's wringing of withers,

But trust me to sparkle at lunch!—

I radiate freely at lunch.

The National Game is a tonic, I know,

And a tonic is very good stuff;

I wish, though, the ball were a little less small,

And I wish that two pads were enough!

I cannot rejoice when a Richardson comes

And crumbles me up in a bunch!

I never like tonic behaving cyclonic,

Preferring to sparkle at lunch!—

I corruscate freely at lunch.