A DREAM OF GREAT PLAYERS.
I read one night, while lying on the down,
In L. T. Annual[11] of the current year—
Tho' unpretending volume, bound in brown—
Great deeds recorded were.
At length, methought that I had wandered far
Through the long path that runs beside the line,
And found myself before the entrance-door,
And knew I was in time.
I knew the stands, I knew the nets, I knew
The smooth, green level of the well-rolled lawn,
And thought, "Here many an athlete anxious grew,
Dreading the fateful dawn."
A voice from out the ticket-office came—
From overworked collector in his prime—
"Pass quickly through, the seats are all thine own
Until the end of time."
Close by a player, leaning on the rail,
Clasping a racket, Tate-made, in his hand—
A champion among men, who made me hail,
And led me to the stand.
His cigarette from out his mouth he drew:
Blew out white clouds, then said, with courteous smile—
"Hast come to see great players? Good! Then you
Had best stay here awhile.
"I am the champion! ask thou not my name;
Not to know me argues thyself unknown.
Many played here, and fell; whene'er I came
All men were overthrown."
"No marvel," I made answer; "In fair field
Myself before such skill had doubtless quail'd,
As all men must." Then, turning, I appealed
To one who merely wailed—
As he with forced perpetual smile averse,
To his full height his stately figure draws—
"My youth," he said, "is blighted with a curse—
This stripling is the cause.
"For seven years The Cup I strove to win,
But ever, when it seemed within my grip,
He, rising o'er all others, entered in,
And dashed it from my lip."
His words of grief fell idly on my ear,
As thunderdrops fall on a sleeping sea.
Sudden I heard a voice that cried—"Come here,
That you may look on me.
"I am ex-champion, now three years displaced,
And since that time I find it very slow;
I have no men to conquer in this waste,
I war with fairer foe."
He paused in gloom, and towards the others faced,
To whom the Smiler—"Oh! you tamely died;
You should have stood well to the back, and placed
The ball along the side."
"Alas! alas!" a low voice, full of care,
Murmured beside me—"Champion I might be,
But for this injured member which I bear
I had gained victory."
I gazed upon him, then became aware
Of some one coming hastily in wrath,
Reminding his twin-brother—"We're the pair
Chosen to play the North.
"Do hurry up, our foes await us there;
The stem, black-bearded form, the referee,
Ejaculating, as he tears his hair,
'Where can the players be?'"
Then seized his arm, and drew him from the spot.
I, feeling tired and thirsty, strolled away;
The day becoming most extremely hot,
I cared to see no play.
Pastime, February 13, 1884.