Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A BALLADE OF LAWN TENNIS, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS



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A BALLADE OF LAWN TENNIS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some gain a universal fame
Last Line: I like the game of tennis best.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Games; Sports; Tennis; Recreation; Pastimes; Amusements


SOME gain a universal fame
By dint of pugilistic might;
To some all sports seem very tame
Except a fierce and fistic fight;
Some love the tourney, too, in spite
Of ancient armor, helm, and crest,
Where knights are smitten and do smite —
I like the Game of Tennis best.

Some love to take a gun and aim
At pretty birdlings in their flight;
Some also think it is no shame
To make poor trout and pickerel bite;
Some chase the deer from morn till night —
I like not such a bloody quest,
My sport is harmless, pleasant, light —
I like the Game of Tennis best.

Some for the ancient, royal game
Of golf. Arrayed in colors bright,
They'll play until they're sore and lame —
A frenzy without justice, quite.
Baseball and football are all right,
Polo and cricket and the rest
Of sports too many to recite —
I like the Game of Tennis best.

L'Envoi

Queen of the Court, my skill is slight
In rhyming, but perhaps you've guessed
Why this ballade I thus indite —
I like the Game of Tennis best.





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