A Close Finish

["A marriage is arranged between Miss Diana Dashington and Lord Broadacres."]

The race of the season is over ;

I've lost and Diana has won ;

She's feasting on Broadacres' clover,

And I am right out of the fun.

Though Di was the one to begin it,

She soon found me making the pace ;

I thought all along I should win it,

And only backed her for a place.

At Ascot Diana was leading,

At Henley I spurted ahead ;

At Cowes side by side we were speeding;

At Trouville I fancy I led.

Neck to neck we ran, shoulder to shoulder,

The pack was too killing to last

(If the weather had only been colder!)

I flagged, and Diana shot past.

My heart's not by any means broken;

I hope I'm not wanting in pluck ;

A tear or two, low be it spoken,

Then I kissed her and wished her good luck.

Di won the race fairly as stated;

But when her attractions are reckoned,

My own must not be underrated

I finished a very good second!