Kipling R: The Cricketing Precepts of Baloo

THE CRICKET PRECEPTS OF BALOO

(Suggested by Mr.Kipling's Jungle Laws) - Norman Gale

Now this is the Law of the Pastime, as wily as ever a trout; And
the Man that shall keep it may prosper, but the Man that shall
break it is Out.

As the sky that is over all foreheads, the Law is for thin and
for fat
For the strength of the Bat is the Wood, and the strength of the
Wood is the Bat.

When Team meets with Team on the green sward, each burning with
zeal to prevail,
One Captain shall toss up a copper impressed with a Head and a
Tail.

The Captains shall run to the Copper, as ram when he butteth at
ram
Who crieth out Head when 'tis Tail not seldom resorteth to -;

But, Lad, in thy whiskerless state, and again when thy whiskers
are there,
Take Luck as it falls by the Copper, and deem it unlovely to
swear.

Go slow from the Tent to the Wicket; be-padded and gauntleted go;
Though the Man with the Ball is a Fellow, the Man with the Ball
is a Foe.

Confer with the Umpire for Guard's-sake, ask thrice if the Middle
be right;
Though the Bowler trot slow to the Crease, yet the Ball she shall
come as the light.

Score daily from Over and Under; drink not if thy will is to
stay;
Remember the night is for Poker, but forget not that noon is for
play.

A baby may suck at a Jujube, but, Lad, 'ere thy whiskers are
grown,
Remember thy call is for Cricket, go forth and get runs of thine
own.

Keep peace with thy Club and Committee, nor surlily growl as a
bear
If, scanning the Order of Going, thy name is the bottomost there.

The Crease is the Cricketer's refuge, and there while he faceth
the foe,
Not even his Father may enter, not even his Mother may go.

If thou fall to a Clinker, be silent, and fill not thy friend
with dismay,
Lest in terror he taketh his Block, lest thy brother go empty
away.

If thou make not a run for the score-sheet, O bitter and black is
the job !
Thou tellest of Duck to thy sweetheart, to men thou recordest a
Blob.

If a ball, after rapping thy fingers, is caught while the enemies
shout,
Prepare for a dignified exit. My friend, thou art certainly out.
 
The Umpire is dominant always: he answereth many appeals;
Though ruddy his face, yet his raiment is lily from head to the
heels.
 
Beware of a hasty contempt; beware of presumptuous scoff
Ere thou cried on the heart of thy Mother, 'he bowled a big Break
from the Off'.
 
The ball that is dead on the wicket thou shalt not obstruct with
thy knee;
If so, then the Trundler appealeth, and another shall come after
thee.
 
Now these are some laws of the Pastime, and he who would cheat at
the game
Was whelped by the Goblin Confusion, and suckled unwisely by
Shame.
 
Yea, these be some laws of the Pastime, and many and mighty are
they;
But the skin and the skull of the Law, and the tuft and the tail,
is - Obey !
 
 Contributed by Cric8wala (sidiyus@*acns.nwu.edu)