{"id":295,"date":"2022-11-03T10:52:06","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T10:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/earlycricket.uk\/?page_id=295"},"modified":"2025-09-19T08:50:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T08:50:46","slug":"cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Cricket, An Heroic Poem &#8211; James Love (1744)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"pdfprnt-buttons pdfprnt-buttons-page pdfprnt-top-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/295?print=print\" class=\"pdfprnt-button pdfprnt-button-print\" target=\"_blank\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-print\/images\/print.png\" alt=\"image_print\" title=\"Print Content\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love\/#The_Poem\" >The Poem<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love\/#Book_I\" >Book I<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love\/#Book_II\" >Book II<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/cricket-an-heroic-poem-by-james-love\/#Book_III\" >Book III<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"322\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Heroic.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3061\" style=\"width:363px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Heroic.jpg 322w, https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Heroic-197x300.jpg 197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:59%\">\n<p>The poem is written in heroic style and is about a match between Kent and England that took place on 18 June 1744 at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/?page_id=600\">The Artillery Ground<\/a>. It is the earliest cricket poem written in English (ie ignoring the Latin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/in-certamen-pilae-about-a-ball-game\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"242\">In Certamen Pilae<\/a>). It uses heroic couplets, a style made popular by Alexander Pope (1688-1744); heroic couplets are end-stopped pentameters, rhymed aa bb cc, have a marked caesura, and prominent stress on the line end.\u00a0This type of couplet is called &#8216;heroic&#8217; because it is frequently used in English translations of ancient epic poems about ancient Greek and Roman heroes, as well as in newly written English poetry. This is essentially the style that Love is aiming at, and for all the length of the poem, there is not all that much by way of information; the verse mostly concentrates on saying what a wonderful occasion it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The match was arranged by&nbsp;Lord John Sackville&nbsp;, who captained the Kent team. England, batting first, totalled 40 and 70 in their two innings; Kent responded with 53 and 58 for 9 to win by one wicket. The match was described by the London Daily Advertiser as the &#8220;greatest cricket match ever known&#8221;. It was a noted social occasion as the spectators included the Prince of Wales and his brother, Prince William, Duke of Cumberland. Also present were the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Admiral Vernon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>James Love is the pseudonym of British poet, playwright and actor James Dance. He is now most famous for this poem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Poem\"><\/span>The Poem<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Book_I\"><\/span>Book I<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>THE ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK.\u2014The Subject. Address to the Patron of Cricket. A Description at the Pleasures felt at the Approach of the proper Season for Cricket, and the Preparations for it. A Comparison between this game and others, particularly Billiards, Bowls and Tennis. Exhortation to Britain to leave all meaner sports, and cultivate Cricket only, as most adapted to the Freedom and Hardiness of its Constitution. The Counties most famous for Cricket are describ&#8217;d, as vying with another for Excellency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">While others soaring on a lofty Wing,\nOf dire Bellona's cruel Triumphs sing;\nSound the shrill Clarion, mount the rapid car,\nAnd rush delighted thro' the Ranks of War;\nMy tender Muse, in humbler, milder, Strains,\nPresents a bloodless Conquest on the Plains;\nWhere vig'rous Youth, in Life's fresh Bloom resort,\nFor pleasing Excercise and healthful Sport.\nWhere Emulation fires, where Glory draws,\nAnd active Sportsmen struggle for Applause;\nExpert to Bowl, to Run, to Stop, to Throw,\nEach Nerve collected at each mighty blow.\n\n\u2060Hail Cricket! glorious, manly, British game!\nFirst of all Sports! be first alike in Fame!\nTo my fir'd Soul thy busy Transports bring,\nThat I may feel thy Raptures, while I sing!\nAnd thou, kind Patron of the mirthful Fray,\nSandwich, thy Country's Friend, accept the Lay!\nTho' mean my verse, my Subject yet approve,\nAnd look propitious on the Game you love!\n\n\u2060When the returning Sun begins to smile,\nAnd shed its Glories round this sea-girt Isle;\nWhen new-born Nature deck'd in vivid Green,\nChaces dull Winter from the charming Scene:\nHigh panting with Delight, the jovial Swain\nTrips exulting o'er the Flow'r-strew'd Plain;\nThy Pleasures, Cricket! all his Heart controul;\nThy eager Transports dwell upon his Soul:\nHe weighs the well-turn'd Bat's experienc'd Force,\nAnd guides the rapid Ball's imperious Course,\nHis supple Limbs with nimble Labour plies,\nNor bends the Grass beneath him as he flies,\nThe joyous Conquests of the late flown Year,\nIn Fancy's Paint, with all their Charms appear,\nAnd now again he views the long wish'd Season near,\nO thou, sublime Inspirer of my Song!\nWhat matchless Trophies to thy Worth belong!\nLook round the Globe, inclin'd to Mirth, and see\nWhat daring Sport can claim the Prize from thee!\n\n\u2060Not puny Billiards, where, with sluggish Pace,\nThe dull Ball trails before the feeble Mace.\nWhere no triumphant Shouts, no Clamours dare\nPierce thro' the vaulted Roof and wound the Air;\nBut stuff Spectators quite inactive stand,\nSpeechless attending to the Striker's Hand:\nWhere nothing can your languid Spirits move,\nSave when the Marker bellows out, Six Love!\nOr when the Ball, close cushion'd, slides askew,\nAnd to the opening Rocket runs, a Cou.\n\n\u2060Nor yet the happier Game, where the smooth Bowl,\nIn circling Mazes, wanders to the Goal;\nWhere, much divided between Fear and Glee,\nThe Youth cries Rub; O Flee, you Ling'rer, Flee!\n\n\u2060Not Tennis self, thy sister Sport, can charm,\nOr with thy fierce Delights our bosom warm.\nTho' full of Life, at Ease alone dismay'd,\nShe calls each swelling Sinew to her Aid;\nher echoing Courts confess the sprightly Sound,\nWhile from the Racket the brisk Balls rebound.\nYet, to small Space confin'd, ev'n she must yield\nTo nobler Cricket, the disputed Field.\n\n\u2060O Parent Britain! Minion of Renown!\nWhose far-extended Fame all Nations own;\nOf Sloth-promoting Sports, forewarn'd beware!\nNor think thy Pleasures are thy meanest Care;\nShun with Disdain the squeaking Masquerade,\nWhere fainting Vice calls Folly to her Aid.\nLeave the dissolving Song, the baby Dance,\nTo soothe the Slaves of Italy and France:\nWhile the firm Limb, and strong brac'd Nerve are thine.\nScorn Eunuch Sports; to manlier Games incline;\nFeed on the Joys that Health and Vigour give;\nWhere Freedom reigns, 'tis worth the while to live.\n\n\u2060Nurs'd on thy Plains, first Cricket learnt to please,\nAnd taught thy Songs to slight inglorious Ease:\nAnd see where busy Counties strive for Fame,\nEach greatly potent at this mighty Game!\nFierce Kent, ambitious of the first Applause,\nAgainst the World combin'd asserts her Cause;\nGay Sussex sometimes triumphs o'er the Field,\nAnd fruitful Surry cannot brook to yield.\nWhile London, Queen of Cities! proudly view,\nAnd often grasps the well-disputed Prize.\n\nThus while Greece triumph'd o'er the barb'rous Earth,\nSeven Cities struggl'd which gave Homer birth.\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Book_II\"><\/span>Book II<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>THE ARGUMENT OF THE SECOND BOOK.\u2014Kent challenges all the other Counties. The Match determined. A description of the Place of Contest. The particular Qualifications and Excellencies of each Player. The Counties go in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">And now the sons of Kent immortal grown,\nBy a long Series of acquir'd Renown,\nSmile at each weak Attempt to shake their Fame;\nAnd thus with vaunting Pride, their Might proclaim.\nLong have we bore the Palm, trimphant still,\nNo County fit to match our wond'rous Skill:\nBut that all tamely may confess our Sway,\nAnd own us Masters of the glorious Day;\nPick the best Sportsmen from each sev'ral Shire,\nAnd let them, if they dare, 'gainst Us appear:\nSoon will we prove the Mightiness we boast,\nAnd make them feel their Error, to their Cost.\n\n\u2060Fame quickly gave the bold Defiance vent,\nAnd magnify'd th' undaunted Sons of Kent.\nThe boastful Challenge sounded far and near;\nAnd spreading, reach'd at length Great N\u2014\u2014's Ear:\nWhere, with his Friend, all negligent he laugh'd,\nAnd threatened future Glories, as they quaff'd.\nStruck with the daring Phrase, a piercing Look\nOn B\u2014\u2014n first he cast, and thus he spoke.\n\n\u2060And dare the Slaves this paltry Message own!\nWhat then in N\u2014\u2014's Arm no better known?\nHave I for this the Ring's wide Ramparts broke?\nWhilst R\u2014\u2014y shudder'd at the mighty Stroke.\nNow by Alcmena's sinew'd Son, I wear,\nWhose dreadful Blow no mortal Strength can bear!\nBy Hermes, Offspring too of thund'ring Jove!\nWhose winged Feet like nimble Lightning move!\nBy ev'ry Patron of the pleasing War,\nMy chief Delight, my Glory and my Care!\nThis Arm shall cease the far-driv'n Ball to throw,\nShrink from the Bat and feebly shun the Blow;\nThe trophies from this conqu'ring Forehead torn,\nBy Boys and Women shall in Scorn be worn;\nE'er I neglect to let these Blust'res know,\nThere live who dare oppose, and beat them too.\nIllustrious B\u2014\u2014n! Now's the Time to prove\nTo Cricket's Charms thy much experienc'd Love.\nLet us with Care, each hardy Friend insprire!\nAnd fill their Souls with emulating Fire!\nCome on ... True Courage never is dismay'd.\nHe spoke ... The Hero listen'd, and obey'd.\n\n\u2060Urg'd by their Chiefs, the Friends of Cricket hear,\nAnd joyous in the fated Lists appear.\nThe Day approach'd. To view the charming Scene,\nExulting Thousands croud the levell'd Green.\n\n\u2060A place there is, where City-warriors meet,\nWisely determin'd not to fight, but eat.\nWhere harmless Thunder rattles to the Skies,\nWhile the plump Buff-coat fires, and shuts his Eyes.\nTo the pleas'd Mob the bursting Cannons tell\nAt ev'ry circ'ling Grass, how much they swill.\nHere, in the Intervals of Bloodless War,\nThe Swains with milder Pomp their Arms prepare.\nWide o'er th' extended Plain, the circling Strong\nRestrains th' impatient Throng, and marks a Ring.\nBut if encroaching on forbidden Ground,\nThe heedless Croud o'erleaps the proper Bound;\nS\u2014\u2014th plies, with strenuous Arm, the smacking Whip,\nBack to the Line th' affrighted Rebels skip.\n\n\u2060The Stumps are pitch'd. Each Heroe now is seen,\nSprings o'er the Fence, and bounds along the Green\nIn decent White, most gracefully array'd,\nEach strong-built Limb in all its Pride display'd.\n\n\u2060Now Muse, exert thy Vigour, and describe\nThe mighty Chieftains of each glorious Tribe!\nBold R\u2014\u2014y first, before the Kentish Band\nGod-like appear'd, and seiz'd the chief Command.\nJudicious Swain! whose quick-discerning Soul\nObserves the various Seasons as they roll.\nWell-skill'd to spread the thriving Plant around;\nAnd paint with fragrant Flow'rs th' enamell'd Ground.\nConscious of Worth, with Front erect he moves,\nAnd poises in his Hand the Bat he loves.\nHim Dorset's Prince protects, whose youthul Heir\nAttends with ardent Glee with mighty Play'r.\nHe, at Mid-wicket, disappoints the Foe;\nSprings at the coming Ball and mocks the Blow.\nEv'n thus the Rattle-Snake, as Trav'lers say,\nWith stedfast Eye observes it's destin'd Pray;\nTill fondly gazing on the glitt'ring Balls,\nInto her Mouth th' unhappy Victim falls.\nThe baffled Hero quits his Bat with Pain,\nAnd mutt'ring lags across the shouting Plain.\nBrisk H\u2014\u2014l next strides on with comely Pride,\nTough as the subject of his Trade, the Hide.\nIn his firm Palm, the hard-bound Ball he hears,\nAnd mixes joyous with his pleas'd Compeers.\nBromlean M\u2014\u2014s attends the Kentish Throng;\nAnd R\u2014\u2014n from his Size, surnam'd the Long.\nSix more, as ancient Custom has thought meet,\nWith willing Steps, th' intrepid Band compleat.\nOn th' adverse Party, tow'rin o'er the rest,\nLeft-handed N\u2014\u2014d dires each arduous Breast.\nFrom many a bounteous Crop, the foodful Grain\nWith swilling Stores rewards his useful Pain:\nWhile the glad Farmer, with delighted Eyes,\nSmiles to behold his close-cram'd Gran'ries rise.\nNext B\u2014\u2014n came, whose cautious Hand could fix\nIn neat disposed Array the well-pil'd Bricks:\nWith him, alone, scarce any Youth wou'd dare\nAt single Wicket, try the doubtful War.\nFor few, save him, th' exalted Honour claim\nTo play with Judgment, all the various Game.\nNext, his accomplished Vigour, C\u2014\u2014y tries;\nWhose shelt'ring Hand the nest-form'd Garb supplies.\nTo the dread Plain her D\u2014\u2014e Surry sends,\nAnd W\u2014\u2014k on the jovial Train attends.\nEqual in Numbers, bravely they begin\nThe dire Dispute.\u2014The Foes of Kent go in.\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Book_III\"><\/span>Book III<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>THE ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK.\u2014The Game. Five on the Side of the counties are out for three Notches. The Odds run high on the Side of Kent. Bryan and Newland go in; they help the Game greatly. Bryan is unfortunately put out by Kips. Kent, The first Innings, is Thirteen a-head. The Counties go in again, and get fifty-seven a-head. Kent, in the Second Innings, is very near losing, the two last men being in. Weymark unhappily misses a catch, and by that means Kent is victorious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">With wary Judgment, scatter'd o'er the Green,\nTh' ambitious Chiefs of fruitful Kent are seen.\nSome, at a Distance, for the Long Ball wait,\nSome, nearer planted, seize it from the Bat.\nH\u2014\u2014l and M\u2014\u2014s behind the Wickets stand,\nAnd each by Turns, the flying Ball command:\nFour times from H\u2014\u2014l's arm it skims the Grass;\nThen M\u2014\u2014s succeeds. The Seekers-out change Place.\nObserve, cries H\u2014\u2014l, to the wond'ring Throng,\nBe Judges now, whose Arms are better strung!\nHe said\u2014then pois'd, and rising as he threw,\nSwift from his Arm the fatal Missive flew.\nNor with more Force the Death conveying Ball,\nSprings from the Cannon to the batter'd Wall;\nNor swifter yet the pointed Arrows go,\nLaunch'd from the Vigour of the Parthian Bow.\nIt whizz'd alone, with unimagin'd Force,\nAnd bore down all, resistless in its Course.\nTo such impetuous Might compell'd to yield\nThe Bail, and mangled Stumps bestrew the Field.\n\n\u2060Now glows with ardent Heat th' unequal Fray,\nWhile Kent usurps the Honours of the Day;\nLoud from the Ring resounds the piercing Shout,\nThree Notches only gain'd, five Leaders out.\n\n\u2060But while the drooping Play'r invokes the Gods,\nThe busy Better calculates his Odds,\nSwift round the Plain, in buzzing Murmurs run,\nI'll hold you Ten to Four, Kent.\u2014Done Sir.\u2014Done.\n\n\u2060What Numbers can with equal Force, describe\nTh' increasing Terrors of the losing Tribe!\nWhen, vainly striving 'gainst the conqu'ring Ball,\nThey see their boasted Chiefs, dejected fall!\nNow the two mightiest of the fainting Host\nPant to redeem the Fame their Fellows lost.\nEager for Glory;\u2014For the worst prepared;\nWith pow'rful Skill, their threat'ned Wickets guard.\nB\u2014\u2014n, collected for the deadly Stroke,\nFirst cast to Heav'n a supplicating Look;\nThen pray'd.\u2014Propitious Pow'rs! Assist my Blow,\nAnd grant the flying Orb may shock the Foe!\nThis said; he wav'd his Bat with forceful Swing,\nAnd drove the batter'd Pellet o'er the Ring.\nThen rapid five times cross'd the shining Plain,\nE'er the departed Ball return'd again.\n\n\u2060Nor was thy Prowess valient N\u2014\u2014d mean,\nWhose strenuous Arm increas'd the Game eighteen;\nWhile from thy Stroke, the Ball retiring hies,\nUninterrupted Clamours rend the Skies.\nBut oh, what horrid Changes oft' are seen,\nWhen faithless Fortune seems the most serene!\nBeware, unhappy B\u2014\u2014n! oh beware!\nToo heedless Swain, when such a Foe is near.\nFir'd with Success, elated with his Luck,\nHe glow'd with Rage, regardless how he struck;\nBut, forc'd the fatal Negligence to mourn,\nK\u2014\u2014s crush's his Stumps, before the Youth could turn.\nThe rest their unavailing Vigour try,\nAnd by the Pow'r of Kent, demolish'd die.\nAwaked Eccho speaks the Innings o'er,\nAnd forty Notches deep indent the Score.\n\n\u2060Now Kent prepares her better Skill to shew;\nLoud rings the Ground, at each tremendous Blow.\nWith nervous Arm, performing God-like Deeds,\nAnother, and another Chief succeeds;\n'Til, tired with Fame, the conqu'ring Host give Way;\nAnd head by thirteen Strokes, the toilsome Fray.\n\n\u2060Fresh rous'd to Arms, each Labour-loving Swain\nSwells with new Strength, and dares the Field again\nAgain to Heav'n aspires the Chearful Sounds;\nThe Strokes re-echo o'er the spacious Ground.\nThe Champion strikes. When, scarce arriving fair,\nThe glancing Ball mounts upwards in the Air?\nThe Batsman sees it, and with mournful Eyes,\nFix'd on th' ascending Pellet as it flies,\nThus suppliant Claims the Favour of the Skies.\nO mighty Jove! and all ye Pow'rs above!\nLet my regarded Pray'r your pity move!\nGrant me but this. Whatever Youth shall dare\nSnatch at the Prize, descending thro' the Air;\nMay him extended on the grassy Plain,\nAnd make his bold, ambitious Effort vain.\n\n\u2060He said. The Powers, attending his request\nGranted one Part, to Winds consign'd the rest.\n\n\u2060And now Illustrious S\u2014\u2014e, where he stood,\nTh' approaches Ball with cautious Pleasure view'd;\nAt once he sees the Chief's impending Doom\nAnd pants for mighty Honours, yet to come:\nSwift as the Falcon, darting on its Prey,\nHe springs elastick o'er the verdant Way;\nSure of Success, flies upward with a Bound,\nDerides the slow Approach, and spurns the Ground.\n\n\u2060The Counties now the Game triumphant lead,\nAnd vaunt their Numbers fifty-seven a Head.\n\n\u2060To end th' immortal Honours of the Day\nThe Chiefs of Kent, once more, their Might essay;\nNo trifling Toil ev'n yet remains untry'd,\nNor mean the Numbers of the adverse Side.\nWith doubled Skill each dang'rous Ball they shun,\nStrike with observing Eye, with Caution run.\nAt length the know the wish'd for Number near,\nYet wildly pant, and almost own they fear.\nThe two last Champion even now are in,\nAnd but three Notches yet remain to win.\nWhen, almost ready to recant it's Boast,\nAmbitious Kent within an Ace had lost;\nThe mounting Ball, again obliquely driv'n,\nCuts the pure \u00c6ther, soaring up to Heav'n.\nW\u2014\u2014k was ready; W\u2014\u2014k, all must own,\nAs sure a Swain to catch as e'er was known;\nYet, whether Jove, and all-compelling Fate,\nIn their high Will determin'd Kent should beat;\nOr the lamented Youth too much rely'd\nOn sure Success, and Fortune often try'd.\nThe erring Ball, amazing to be told!\nSlip'd thro' his out-stretch'd Hand, and mock'd his Hold.\n\n\u2060And now the Sons of Kent compleat the Game,\nAnd firmly fix their everlasting Fame.\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction The poem is written in heroic style and is about a match between Kent and England that took place on 18 June 1744 at The Artillery Ground. It is the earliest cricket poem written in English (ie ignoring the Latin In Certamen Pilae). It uses heroic couplets, a style made popular by Alexander Pope [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-295","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PdOpLv-4L","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=295"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5163,"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/295\/revisions\/5163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earlycricket.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}