A BALLAD OF BASE-BALL.

I. Now that Summer has just reached its mark, And the schooling and fishing are done, Come! To-morrow get up with the lark (And you know she gets up with the sun)— Come along! who would shirk or would shun The game that is best of them all, For glory and frolic and fun? So hurrah for the Bat and the Ball! II. Yes, hurrah! we’ll be first in the Park; Our Nine will go up there as one, Not to see all the beasts of the Ark, Nor the birds, nor the beetles,—no fun!— But around the green Diamond to run, And the Red-stockings’ hearts to appall, And to show how a game may be won: So hurrah for the Bat and the Ball! III. We’ve a Catcher as keen as a shark, For fouls—well he can’t be outdone; And our Batters could bat in the dark, And our Pitcher knows every one Of the “curves” and the “shoots”; not a run Did he give those Red-stockings last Fall In the champion match that we won. So hurrah for the Bat and the Ball! Jack, throw down your rod and your gun, Let kite and top go to the wall, Of good games there’s not more than one, So hurrah for the Bat and the Ball!