e surreptitious "cross;"
Rather the kind of cove who tackled fair
Would think more of the "corner" than "the square."
(_"Ah! bust him, yes!"_ SAYERIUS _here put in,
"He meant to tie or wrangle, not to win.
I'd like to--well, all right, I will not say:
But 'twasn't so at Farnborough in my day."_)
Next stout ENTELLUS for the strife prepares,
Strips off his ulster, and his body bares,
Composed of mighty bone and brawn he stands.
A six-foot straight, "fine fellow of his hands."
ENTELLUS, Champion of the Austral realm,
Whose sight fat DARES seemed to overwhelm.
(_"Yah!" cried_ SAYERIUS, _"brave_ HEENANUS _stood
Well over me; yes, and his grit was good.
But did I funk the Big 'Un from the fust?
No, nor when nine times I had bit the dust!"_)
They both attentive stand with eyes intent,
Their arms well up, their bodies backward bent.
One on his clamorous "Corner" most relies;
The other on his sinews and his size.
Unequal in success, they ward, they strike,
Their styles are different, but their aims alike.
Big blows are dealt; stout DARES hops around,
His pulpy sides the rattling thumps resound.
(_"He always was a fleshy 'un, yer know,"
Said brave_ SAYERIUS. _"But on yer go!"_)
Steady and straight ENTELLUS stands his ground,
Although already rowdy rows abound.
His hand and watchful eyes keep even pace,
While DARES traverses and shifts his place,
And, like a cornered rat in a big pit.
Keeps off, and doesn't like the job a bit.
(_"No, that I'll bet!" the brave_ SAYERIUS _said.
"Wish I'd been there to punch his bloomin' 'ed!"_)
More on his feet than fists the cur relies,
And on that crowded "Corner" keeps his eyes.
With straightening shots ENTELLUS threats the foe, }
But DARES dodges the descending blow, }
And back into his Corner's prompt to go. }
Where bludgeon, knuckleduster, knotted sticks,
Foul sickening blows and cruel coward kicks
Are in his interest on ENTELLUS rained
At every point that plucky boxer gained.
(_"Oh!" groaned_ SAYERIUS. _"And this sort of thing
Wos let go on, with gents around the Ring!"_)
In vain ENTELLUS gave sly DARES snuff;
DARES already felt he'd had enough;
But twenty ruffians, thralls of bets and "booze,"
Had sworn could he not win he should not lose.
DARES, you see, was