Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BALLADE OF LAWN TENNIS, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BLOODY SIRE by ROBINSON JEFFERS GAME AFTER SUPPER by MARGARET ATWOOD DANGEROUS GAMES by CAROLYN KIZER THE GOOD AUTHOR by CAROLYN KIZER BATTLEDORE AND SHUTTLECOCK by AMY LOWELL THE LOST CHILDREN by GREGORY ORR SNAKE EYES by MINNIE BRUCE PRATT LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |
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