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."