BOMBASTES

In dazzling pads Bombastes went

To give the bowling Beans;

He stalked along in sweet content,

Triumphant in his‘ teens.

He launched his muscle at a Slow,

But heard the timber clink;

Bombastes homeward sped and said,

‘ Whatever do you think?

Bowled by a beastly lob, confound it!

Jumped in too far and hit all round it!

Easy enough to now expound it —

Bowled by a beastly lob!’

At luncheon-time Bombastes swore,

By oaths not one, nor twain,

That he would make the fielders sore

When he went in again!

A second time the hero strode

With Allsopp in his head;

Bombastes missed the first; he cursed

Consumedly, and said —

‘ Bowled by a beastly lob, confound it!

Jumped in too far and hit all round it!

Easy enough to now expound it —

Bowled by a beastly lob!’

May ev'ry braggart talking big

Secure the Double Duck!

By Roman grape and Grecian fig

I wish him dirty luck!

May underhanded artfulness

Precipitate his end,

His only comfort be, at tea,

To moan before a friend —

‘ Bowled by a beastly lob, confound it!

Jumped in too far and hit all round it!

Easy enough to now expound it —

Bowled by a beastly lob!’