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C J Dennis - Averted Violence
Work rating: Low

Stripped to the buff they circled round,
   And jagged and swung and crossed;
To uppercut and smash and pound
   No chances either lost;
Till folks opined, in some alarm,
That they might do each other harm.

Fiercely, they swung the left and right,
   With punch and bash and clout:
Each grimly hopeful that he might
   Secure the glad knock-out.
And, as they watched the "claret" spurt,
The crowd feared someone might be hurt.

The ribs of one were bruised and sore,
   His chin was badly gashed;
The other`s face was streaked with gore;
   And yet they biffed and bashed.
And someone said, "It this goes on
There`ll be an injury anon."

Harder and swifter rained the blows,
   And fiercer grew the fray;
At chest and chin and eye and nose
   Each boxer biffed away;
Till cried the audience in fright,
If they`re not stopped they`ll start to fight!"

But on they battled, bruised and dazed,
   Scarce able now to stand;
Until the Law stepped in and raised
   A stern, restraining hand.
"Ah!" sighed the crowd, freed from suspense,
"It might have led to violence."
Source
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