Page:Base-ball ballads (IA baseballballads00rice).pdf/63

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A WARNING.

Makers of bonnets the women wear,
Molders of fashion, whoe'er ye be,
Drear is the curse of my daily prayer,
Deep is the hatred I have for thee.
This is the warning I fling afar:
"Mold 'em more on a smaller plan,
Chop off a couple of yards of 'spar,'
Or beware the wrath of an angry fan."

Yesteryear to the game I went,
Daily the pilgrimage I made.
O what a waste of coin I spent,
Wondering there how the game was played!
Was it a hit or an error raw?
Was it a stolen base or score?
I peered in vain, but I only saw
A hat that was nine feet wide or more!

Back to the park this spring I passed,
Knowing the old styles out of date.
"Now," I thought, "I shall get at last
A look once more at the old 'home plate.'"
Was it a hit or fielding flaw?
Why the deuce did the bleachers roar?
In vain I looked, but I only saw
A hat that was nine feet high or more!

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