Faith, Hope and Charity – Golf Poetry

AITH, HOPE AND CHARITY 

I FELT in my bones I'd swamp Bixby, 
When we played that last match for the cup ; 
Impatient was I for the struggle, 
For I knew I'd about eat him up. 
And slyly I winked at the caddie 
As I took out that driver of mine, 
And swished a few daisies for practice, 
Just to show how I'd be down the line. 
That was Faith! 

But something went wrong with my schedule ; 
At the turn I was six to the bad ; 
For nine weary holes I'd encountered 
Just the worst luck a man ever had. 
But surely I'd soon get a-going ; 
Perhaps he'd start topping and flub; 
Or maybe I'd lay him a stymie; 
He was due for a break, the old dub ! 
That was Hope! 

But all things must come to a finish ; 
Seven and six was the beating I got. 
I pictured the crowd at the clubhouse ; 
The thought of their gibes made me hot. 
"Well, what's the result?" came the chorus ; 
And I waited his crowing with dread ; 
"I happened to have rare good fortune. 
And I won." That was all Bixby said. 
That was Charity! 

Anonymous, in Lyrics of the Links, 1921