IN SHEFFIELD PARK.
Monday, May 5, 1893.
First Match of the Australian Cricketers against Lord Sheffield's English Eleven.
In Sheffield Park, in budding May!
True English scene, true cricket day,
A generous host, and glorious play!
A date to mark!
A well-fought match, the Cornstalks' first!
A summer sun, a noble thirst!
The Season's on us with a burst,
In Sheffield Park!
The wondrous veteran W. G.,
At forty-five scores sixty-three!
(At sixty-three Grace may we see
Score forty-five!)
Pleasant once more to have a peep
At those sharp eyes that never sleep,
Those bear's-paws that know how to keep
The game alive!
Safe Shrewsbury and giant Gunn
At it once more! Oh Lords, what fun
To see them drive, and cut, and run!
A May-day lark
For elderly and paunchy lads!
Ah, Time his annual inches adds.
We cannot buckle on the pads
In Sheffield Park!
Yet genuine pleasure still 'twill yield
To sit and watch, with noses peeled,
Coningham smite and Gregory field.
How's that, Sir! Hark!
Thanks to Grace, Shrewsbury, and Gunn,
Lockwood and Briggs—what glorious fun!—
The first big match we've neatly won
In Sheffield Park!
Now for a wet after our roast!
Lords no, there is no call to boast!
But in Lord Sheffield what a host
Cricketers mark!
Who will forget that lovely day,
'Midst lovely scenery in mid-May,
Who had the luck to watch the play
In Sheffield Park!
(Exeter) Hall Right.—It is reported on the highest authority that Prince George has been recently engaged in May Meetings, and has expressed himself as having been extremely charmed and interested.