On First Looking Into Golf

(With Profound A polonies to John Keats)

CHARLES HANSON TOWNE

MUCH have I travell'd in the realms of Song, And many goodly games played with my rhyme.

Little I dreamed that there would come a time When, Pegasus forgot, I would belong To the vast legions which forever throng The velvet links wrapp'd round with hills sublime.

Naught knew I of that world, that glorious clime,

Till I saw Vardon bold and strong.

Then felt I like some champion on the tee, When a long drive gives him new hope again; Or like stout Ouimet, who makes holes in three, And stares at the result; or Sarazen,

Standing in triumph and in w ildest glee, Silent, upon a green in Darien.