A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.
XVII. Twice a week the winter thorough
T
Here stood I to keep the goal:
Football then was fighting sorrow
For the young man’s soul.
Out I march with bat and pad:
See the son of grief at cricket
Trying to be glad.
Wonder ’tis how little mirth
Keeps the bones of man from lying
On the bed of earth.