Kerry At The Bat

[Snoggera]

Taken from the famous:

Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer



edited for updated information. (Thanks Mr. Thayer)

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Democrats that day:
The score stood five to four, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Gore died at first, and the rest did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Kerry could but get a whack at that—
We'd put up even money now, with Kerry at the bat.

But Dean preceded Kerry, as did also Edwards,
And the former's fire extinguished, while the latter looked forwards;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Kerry getting to the bat.

But Dean let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Edwards, the little man's lawyer, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Edwards safe at second and Dean a-hugging third.

Then from fifty million throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Kerry, mighty Kerry, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Kerry's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Kerry's bearing and a smile lit Kerry's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Kerry at the bat.

80 million eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Fifty million tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Kerry's eye, a sneer curled Kerry's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Kerry stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped—
"That ain't my style," said Kerry. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Kerry raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Kerry's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Kerry still ignored it and the umpire said, "Strike two!"

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Kerry and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Kerry wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Kerry's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Kerry's blow.

Oh, everywhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing everywhere, and everywhere hearts are light;
And everywhere men are laughing, and everywhere children shout,
There is so much joy in USA-ville. The mighty Kerry has won in a rout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eric J in MN]

1. I was in suspense about the new ending (nt)

nt

[juajen]

2. That was great fun

Thanks.