( WITH HIS FIRST CRICKET SET )

H ERE'S a gift to take and treasure,
England's gift as well as mine,
Symbol of her clean-spent leisure,
Of her youth and strength a sign;
Gleams of sunlight on old meadows
O'er these varnished toys are cast,
And within that box's shadows
Stir the triumphs of the past.

Still the ancient tale entrances,
Giving us in golden dower
Ulyett's drives and Ivo's glances,
Jackson's dash and Thornton's power;
Skill of Lytteltons and Laceys ;
Grit of Shrewsburys and Gunns ;
Pride of Studds and Steels and Graces
Piling up their English runs.

Take these simple toys as token
Of the champions that have been,
Stalwart in defence unbroken,
Hefty hitters, hitting clean;
And when capped in Life's eleven
May you stand as staunch as they;
May you, little son of seven,
Play the game the English way!