Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A GAME OF TENNIS, by RAY CLARKE ROSE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A GAME OF TENNIS, by                    
First Line: The court is rolled, the net is set
Last Line: "and cry: ""come, help me find her!"
Subject(s): Love; Puns; Sports; Tennis


The court is rolled, the net is set,
Two players bold are ready,
While Chloe chaffs across the net
And laughs, "Love all, be steady!"
Love all, indeed! with Chloe near
What need for more to think of?
I 've sipped some loving cups, but here
There 's only one to drink of.

"My serve!" she cries; the game begins;
I 've missed! My eyes betray me.
And yet 't is through her eyes she wins;
I knew she would outplay me.
But "Fifteen love!" she now commands—
What of the first injunction?
Ah, yes! no doubt she understands
And has some slight compunction.

At last the game to "vantage" goes;
I lay no claim to winning.
'T is she who sov'reign kindness shows
And lets me have an inning.
By Jove! I win, by one bold stroke,
Just in the line behind her.
She sighs, "Love one"—I grasp the joke
And cry: "Come, help me find her!"





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