I like to see a game revive

Like flower refreshed by rain,

And so I say, "May croquet thrive,

And may it live again!"

It brings back thoughts of long ago,

And memories most sweet,

When Amy loved her feet to show

In shoes too small, but neat.

I think I can see Amy now,

Her vengeful arm upraised

To croquet me to where a cow

Unheeding chewed and grazed.

And Amy's prowess with the ball

Reminds me that her style

Was not so taking after all

As Fanny's skill plus smile.

Yes! Fanny had a winsome laugh,

That round her mouth would wreath,

And make me wonder if her chaff

Was shaped to show her teeth.

They were so pretty, just like pearls

Set fast in carmine case;

Still in the match between the girls

Selina had such lustrous eyes

Of real sapphire blue,

They seemed one's soul to mesmerise,

And looked one through and through.

Yet Agnes I cannot forget,

She brought me joy with pain.

I would that we had never met——

"Your stroke!" That voice! My Jane!