Norman Rowland Gale (Норман Гейл)
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!'
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